What became of… Luis Cembranos

Previously… Luis Cembranos was a midfielder who came up through the youth ranks at FC Barcelona. He made the step-up to the first team under coach Johan Cruyff, before going on to turn out for RCD Espanyol and Rayo Vallecano, and ending his playing days at the now-defunct Promesas Ponferrada.

His achievements… He won a Copa del Rey as an FC Barcelona player, but found opportunities limited with los culés and left for Espanyol, where he also did not enjoy the desired impact. At Vallecas he found his niche, making 124 appearances for los franjirrojos, scoring 24 goals and playing in the UEFA Cup.

After hanging up his boots... He retired in 2004 after a final season spent with Promesas Ponferrada. He began his coaching career in 2007 in his home province of León, taking over at Tercera División side Huracán Z. Later, in 2011, he was appointed boss at Cultural Leonesa, piloting the team to promotion to Segunda División B in 2012/13. His spell at the club came to an end after ensuring their survival in Spain’s third tier the following year. He took charge of the Association of Spanish Footballers’ Team AFE in January 2015, and also does media work.

Did you know… Cembranos is the only player to have been capped for Spain while at Rayo Vallecano. He featured for the national team for just 16 minutes in a friendly against Poland on 26 January 2000 in Cartagena. Spain ran out 3-0 winners.