The Pride of Vallekas

Most signings that have featured in this A-Z guide have been those that worked out, and that's a testament to Rayo's technical management. This is a story of the opposite. He lasted just 16 minutes. Rayo were losing at home to Real Zaragoza 1-0, and Juande Ramos had one substitution left. It was the last throw of the dice - midfielder Jordi Ferrón was taken off for him, a striker. That was his Rayo legacy. Born in Luanda, Portuguese Angola, striker Quinzinho signed with Porto in 1995 from local club Atlético Sport Aviação (ASA). He was sparingly played during his spell at the former club as he was barred by Domingos Paciência first and later Mário Jardel, also being loaned to fellow Primeira Liga sides Leiria and Rio Ave. After a third loan spell to Rayo Vallecano in the latter half of the 1998-99 season, Quinzinho returned to Portugal where he represented in quick succession, always in the top division and still owned by Porto, Farense, Aves and Alverca. In Ja...

When did you make the decision to pursue football and what motivated you to do so? I started to play football when I was 4. I always liked football and I really enjoy playing football. That's the best motivation I have to play football. How did it feel like progressing through the ranks of La Masia? I started playing football at Gimnàstic Manresa, a football club from my hometown (Manresa). When I was 9 years old I moved to Barça and I spend there 9 seasons. It was like living a dream and every time I progressed a step up I felt amazing and proud. What do you think La Masia does differently, apart from football philosophy, that sets it apart from other youth academies? I think that in La Masia you can progress as a footballer, but what's most important, you progress as a person. Thanks to them I keep studying my Business Degree at the university and I think that everyone that has the luck to spend some time in La Masia becomes a better footballer but what's more...