ENRIQUE MONTERO, NUMBER 10 FOR SEVILLA'S LEGENDARY ELEVEN

At the request of the of club's History Department, Sevilla FC has appointed Enrique Montero as number 10 for the Sevilla FC legends side. Montero will join other ex-players and already members of the select group, Juan Arza, José María Busto, Marcelo Campanal, Ignacio Achucarro, Antonio Valero, Paco Gallego, Enrique Lora, Curro Sanjosé and Antonio Álvarez. This title constitutes the highest possible distinction that the club awards to ex-Sevilla players.  

Montero was one of the model players from the Sevillana School between the second half of the 1970s and the 80s, dedicating his best years of football to Sevilla FC. Born in El Puerto de Santa María, he arrived in Nervión as a youngster, making a brief appearance for Sevilla Atlético, but due to his impressive condition and skilled ball-work, Santos Bedoya soon pulled him up to the first team. Montero's career at Sevilla FC spanned 11 seasons,  but the player was only at the club for 10 consecutive years as after being loaned out to San Fernando in his first 2 years. He played 323 matches, 10 in the Second Division and no less than 237 in the First, boasting 39 goals. Additionally he made 62 appearances with a tally of 11 goals in the Copa del Rey, alongisde eight matches in the La Liga cup and 6 in the UEFA Cup (scoring 2 goals). 

He had the capacity to pull the strings of the game, providing short, precise passes that - thanks to his vision of the game and refined skill - created opportunities to score in the opposition's half. His football was a spectacle

Montero, though not a high-scoring player (scored 52 goals), began to play as a centre-forward, but his clear talent on the ball meant that he went back to playing as a midfielder; up-front, the player lacked the space to demonstrate his skill and create clear opportunities. From the stands, he came across as a slow player, but his qualities meant that he had the capacity to pull the strings of the game, providing short, precise passes that - thanks to his vision and refined skill - created opportunities to score in the opposition's half. His football was a spectacle that brought the fans up out of their seats, always putting on a show full of imagination and beautifully finished goals. Under the management of Cardo, he made apperances in the two consecutive UEFA tournaments. 

Despite being one of the most-skilled midfielders that Sevilla FC has seen, Montero lost out on Spanish selection due to injury. He was an international for just 3 three friendlies. The player could have added something special to a Spanish squad that struggled to excel in the 1982 World Cup, a competition that saw the squad experience more shame than glory. But above all, the most saddening moment was one that would cut short the career of the Cadiz-born player during the seminfinals of Carranza Trophy against Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras (final score 5-0 to Sevilla). Brazilian defender Polozzi, perhaps hopeless when faced with the impossible skill of Montero, delivered a dangerous tackle causing severe injury to the Sevilla player, tearing various knee ligaments. A terrible match just outside his native turf, paired with the fact FC Barcelona, amazed by the Sevillista's game, had shown interest in signing the promising player. The possibility of Montero playing for a big club is now just the stuff of dreams.

Following 13 seasons with Sevilla FC, Montero joined Cádiz for 4 and retired with Racing Club Portuense. There was just one serious injury, suffered in the Carranza Trophy, that came between Montero and Spanish international squad

He could come across a weak player, but Montero had a bulletproof disposition despite injury. The midfielder's recovery was not easy, Montero worked tremendously hard to show that he had not given in to defeat, and the Cadiz-born player, once again, was back playing at the same standard as his teammates. He served Sevilla FC until 1986. Following his departure from the club he played 4 more seasons with Cádiz up until 1990, ending his carrer with Racing Club Portuense. Montero - in addition to the Sevilla badge - now dons a golden Sevilla emblem on his chest. His vision of the game and his admirable skill with the ball at his feet will be forever etched in the memory of the fans. Perhaps more than any other player, he made football into an art.