Nacho Pérez Frías Explained

Nacho Pérez Frías
Fullname:José Ignacio Pérez Frías
Birth Date:27 April 1955
Birth Place:Madrid, Spain
Death Place:Málaga, Spain
Height:[1]
Position:Defender
Youthyears1:1969–1973
Youthclubs1:Puerto Malagueño
Years1:1973–1975
Clubs1:Castilla
Years2:1975–1976
Clubs2:Atlético Malagueño
Years3:1976–1984
Clubs3:Málaga
Caps3:189
Goals3:3
Years4:1984–1985
Clubs4:Avilés
Caps4:26
Goals4:0
Years5:1985–1986
Clubs5:Marbella
Years6:1986–1991
Clubs6:Mijas
Nationalyears1:1973
Nationalteam1:Spain U18
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0

José Ignacio Pérez Frías (27 April 1955 – 30 March 2018), sometimes known as just Nacho, was a Spanish footballer who played as a defender.

He spent his entire professional career with Málaga, playing 223 competitive matches while appearing in four La Liga seasons.

Early life

Born in Madrid to hotel employee Pedro Pérez and his wife Isabel Frías, Nacho and his ten siblings (eventually the couple fathered 12 children) moved with the family to Málaga at the age of 14.[2] [3]

He started playing football with Puerto Malagueño and Real Madrid Castilla, but suffered an injury while at the service of the latter club and was released shortly after signing.[4]

Club career

Nacho subsequently joined Atlético Malagueño, whilst studying for his medical degree.[5] He made his debut with the first team of Málaga CF on 10 November 1976, coming on as a late substitute in a 3–0 home win against Linares CF in the Copa del Rey.[6] His maiden appearance in La Liga came the following 6 March, also coming from the bench in a 1–3 away loss to Real Zaragoza,[7] and he scored his first in the competition on 26 March of the same year but in another away defeat (2–1, at RC Celta de Vigo).[8]

In 1979, Nacho was appointed team captain.[5] He won two promotions to the top division with his main club, in that year and also in 1982.[4]

Nacho retired in 1991 at the age of 36, after spells in the lower leagues with Real Avilés, CA Marbella and CD Mijas.[5] [4] Later, he worked with Málaga as a youth coach and doctor.[5]

International career

Nacho won three caps for Spain at under-18 level.[9] [10] [11]

Personal life and death

Nacho's brother and son, respectively Juan Carlos and Ignacio, were also footballers. They too played for Málaga.[12] [2]

Nacho died on 30 March 2018, at the age of 62. He was recovering in his Málaga home from severe burns, from which he was tended at the Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya.[13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nacho: José Ignacio Pérez Frías. BDFutbol. 4 April 2018.
  2. Web site: Los Pérez Frías, una saga de futbolistas universitarios. The Pérez Frías, a saga of college footballers. Málaga CF. es. 25 February 2009. 1 June 2018.
  3. News: Fallece Nacho Pérez Frías, ex jugador del Málaga. Nacho Pérez Frías, former Málaga player, dies. Marca. es. 31 March 2018. 4 April 2018.
  4. News: Muere Nacho Pérez Frías, exjugador y médico del Málaga. Death of Nacho Pérez Frías, former Málaga player and doctor. ABC. es. 31 March 2018. 1 June 2018.
  5. Web site: Condolences for the death of Nacho Pérez Frías. Málaga CF. 31 March 2018. 5 April 2018.
  6. News: 3–0: El Linares no fue enemigo para un mejorado Málaga. 3–0: Linares posed no threat to improved Málaga. Mundo Deportivo. es. 11 November 1976. 1 June 2018.
  7. News: 3–1: No pasó apuros el Zaragoza ante el Málaga. 3–1: Zaragoza did not have to sweat it against Málaga. Mundo Deportivo. es. 7 March 1977. 1 June 2018.
  8. News: 2–1: Manolo salvó al Celta en en último minuto. 2–1: Manolo saved Celta in the last minute. Mundo Deportivo. es. 27 March 1977. 1 June 2018.
  9. News: 3–1: Magnífica actuación de nuestros juveniles frente a Portugal. 3–1: Wonderful display from our youths against Portugal. Mundo Deportivo. es. 18 February 1973. 2 June 2018.
  10. News: 2–1: España, que se adelantó en el marcador, mereció el empate. 2–1: Spain, who took the lead, deserved to draw. Mundo Deportivo. es. 15 March 1973. 2 June 2018.
  11. News: 2–2: El gol del empate belga llegó en el último segundo. 2–1: The Belgian draw goal arrived in the last second. Mundo Deportivo. es. 12 April 1973. 2 June 2018.
  12. Web site: Nacho, contra su familia. Nacho, against his family. Al Final de La Palmera. es. 29 September 2012. 1 June 2018.
  13. News: Fallece Nacho Pérez Frías, exjugador y antiguo médico del Málaga. Death of Nacho Pérez Frías, ex-player and former doctor of Málaga. Diario AS. Cariño. Carlos. es. 31 March 2018. 1 June 2018.