Julio Alberto Moreno

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Julio Alberto Moreno Casas (born October 7, 1958 in Candás, Asturias), known as Julio Alberto, is a former Spanish footballer, a gifted offensive left defender.

[edit] Club career

Julio Alberto came through the ranks of Atlético de Madrid, serving a small loan stint in 1976 with Recreativo de Huelva. Fully promoted to the first team in 1980-81, he amassed 59 league games in that and the following seasons combined, subsequently attracting interest from FC Barcelona.

With Barça, Alberto played a further nine seasons, with opposed fates: he was a key element in the side's 1984-85 league conquest and, during the following season, scored a stunning goal against Juventus in the European Cup semifinals, in a 1-0 home win (eventually 2-1 aggregate). He would also start in the penalty shootout loss against Steaua Bucharest in the final.

From 1988-91, Alberto only appeared in 29 matches combined, as the "Dream Team" was coming to fruition, retiring after only three appearances in the latter, which Barcelona won.

After retiring, Alberto fell into a deep depression which led to a severe drug addiction.^[1]Eventually, he recovered, becoming a lecturer on the subject, while he also began assisting former side Barcelona in a community role, working with fans and the club's foundation.

[edit] International career

Alberto earned 34 caps for the Spanish national team from 1984 to 1998, and was included in the squad for the 1984 UEFA European Football Championship (all the matches for the runners-up) and the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

His debut came on February 29, in a friendly match leading to Euro 1984, against Luxembourg. He received the game's only yellow card in a 1-0 away win.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Stats at Liga de Fútbol Profesional (Spanish)
• BDFutbol profile
• National team data (Spanish)
• FC Barcelona archives (Spanish)
• NationalFootballTeams data

v • d • e Spain squad – UEFA Euro 1984 Runners-up 1 Arconada • 2 Urquiaga • 3 Camacho • 4 Maceda • 5 Goikoetxea • 6 Gordillo • 7 Señor • 8 Víctor • 9 Santillana • 10 Gallego • 11 Carrasco • 12 Salva • 13 Buyo • 14 Julio Alberto • 15 Roberto • 16 Francisco • 17 Alonso • 18 Butragueño • 19 Sarabia • 20 Zubizarreta • Coach: Muñoz

v • d • e Spain squad – 1986 FIFA World Cup 1 Zubizarreta • 2 Tomás • 3 Camacho • 4 Maceda • 5 Víctor • 6 Gordillo • 7 Señor • 8 Goikoetxea • 9 Butragueño • 10 Carrasco • 11 Julio Alberto • 12 Setién • 13 Urruti • 14 Gallego • 15 Chendo • 16 Rincón • 17 Francisco • 18 Calderé • 19 Salinas • 20 Eloy • 21 Míchel • 22 Ablanedo • Coach: Muñoz

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