Jorge Valdano
Former soccer player, coach and sports thinker, recognized for his profound vision of soccer and life. He inspires with his ability to unite reflection, leadership and passion, showing that the game is also a school of human values.
Biography / Speaker Info
Jorge Valdano stood out as an elegant and technical striker on the field, starting his career with Newell's Old Boys in his native country. His time in Europe began with Deportivo Alavés in the Spanish Second Division, before consolidating his place in the top flight with Real Zaragoza. His soccer career reached its peak at Real Madrid C.F., where he became the perfect partner for the famous "Quinta del Buitre". With the white club, Valdano won three league titles and two UEFA Cups. His playing career was prematurely interrupted after he was diagnosed with hepatitis B, which marked his move to a new stage.
The high point of his career as a footballer was with the Argentine National Team, where he was part of the squad that won the World Cup in Mexico 1986. In that tournament, he scored four goals, including the crucial second goal in the final against West Germany. After his retirement as a player, Valdano moved to the bench. He made his coaching debut with C. D. Tenerife, which he qualified for European competitions. He then returned to Real Madrid as a coach, winning the Spanish League in his first season (1994-95) and promoting the debut of a future club legend, Raúl González Blanco.
Subsequently, he had an extensive and very influential career in the sports management of the white club, holding the positions of General Sports Director and General Director of the Presidency of Real Madrid between 2000 and 2011. During this stage, he was a key player in the era of the "Galacticos" and a pioneer in linking sports philosophy with the business world and management. This dual experience on the field and in the office gave him a unique perspective on high-performance sports culture and leadership.
After leaving the coaching staff, he has established himself as an acclaimed writer, lecturer and commentator, becoming widely known as "the philosopher of soccer". He is the author of several bestsellers exploring sociology and leadership in sport, including The 11 Powers of Leadership, Tales of Football and Football: The Endless Game. His philosophy revolves around the idea that "a team is a state of mind" and that soccer is "the most important of the unimportant things".
