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The all-time most capped player for the Spanish national team, he is best known for his lenghty spells at Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona, having played more than 700 official professional matches during his club career.
Zubizarreta's debut in the first division occurred on 19 September 1981, in a 0–2 loss at Atlético Madrid, courtesy of manager Javier Clemente, one month shy of his 20th birthday; he would be an undisputed starter for the remainder of his tenure, being an instrumental element in the club's conquests, most notably the back-to-back leagues.
In 1986, Zubizarreta signed with FC Barcelona for a then record for a player in the position, €1.7 million,quickly removing established Urruti from the starting post and rarely missing a match onwards - for example, only four in the Catalan's four consecutive league wins combined. He added the club's first ever European Cup in 1992, a 1–0 triumph against U.C. Sampdoria.
After the 1993–94 UEFA Champions League, where Barça lost heavily to A.C. Milan in the final (0–4), Zubi was deemed surplus to requirements and finished his career at Valencia CF, again at a high level. He retired after 1997–98 at nearly 37, having played in more than 700 official games (622 in the league alone - all-time best - conceding 626 goals).
International career
Zubizarreta made his debut for Spain on 23 January 1985, in a 3–1 friendly victory over Finland, going on to collect a further 125 caps in the following 13 years.
He represented the nation in four consecutive World Cups: 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998 - his last competition, where he scored an own goal in a 2–3 group stage loss against Nigeria - also appearing, always as a starter, at Euro 1988 and 1996. Zubizarreta and his deputy Paco Buyo once held the national team record for the longest unbeaten run in international games, until Iker Casillas and Pepe Reina broke that record in October 2008.
Post-retirement
After three years as sporting director of first professional club Athletic Bilbao, Zubizarreta went on to work as a a radio and television commentator.
