During his rich career at Atlético, Koljar won one Spanish championship, three King’s Cups and the Cup Winners’ Cup, and he especially stood out as a long-time captain. He wore the captain’s armband for a full ten years, from 1960 to 1969, which is the longest such tenure in the club’s history.
The legendary left winger played a total of 470 games for Atlético between 1953 and 1969 and scored 105 goals, sharing fifth place on the all-time list with appearances, alongside Antoine Griezmann.
“With the departure of Enrique Coljar, the Atlético family has lost a symbol who gave everything to bring the club to the top of national and European football. The president, executive director, management and all employees express their deepest condolences to the family and friends. Rest in peace,” the club’s official announcement states.
Koljar was born on November 2, 1934 in San Juan de Asnalfarache, near Seville. His football career began in his hometown, and in 1949 he joined the Atletika youth school.
He signed a professional contract at the age of 18, and after loans to Cadiz and Real Murcia, he established himself in the first team of the Madrid club.
He tied with Atlético for 15 consecutive seasons, during which he became one of the most favorite players of the fans. Together with Joaquin Peiro, he formed the famous tandem known as “Hell’s Wing”, one of the most impressive in the club’s history, reports Telegraf.rs.
He played for the Spanish national team 16 times, played at the 1962 World Cup in Chile, and was part of the generation that won the European Championship in 1964. The final of the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1962, when Atlético beat Fiorentina in a replay in Stuttgart, is especially memorable.
He ended his career in 1970, and two years later Atletico gave him a big farewell at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.
Even after his playing career, Koljar remained strongly attached to the club, and between 2005 and 2011 he was the president of the Atletico Madrid Foundation. As a sign of respect for his legacy, Atlético included him on the club’s membership card for the 2023/24 season.
(Vijesti.ba)
