Did you Know?
Miguel Ángel “Míchel” Salgado Fernández is a retired Spanish professional footballer who played as a right back. Nicknamed Il Due (two in Italian), he was known for his combative tackling and attacking play. Attesting to his aggressive style, Salgado’s former Real Madrid teammate Steve McManaman – where he spent an entire decade, after excellent displays at Celta – once described him as “the hardest person in the world….a genuine psychopath, even in training.” He also played three seasons in England with Blackburn Rovers. During a 15-year period in Spain, Salgado – who appeared in 343 La Liga games, scoring seven goals – represented the Spanish national team, collecting more than 50 caps and appearing in one World Cup and one European Championship.