FC Barcelona announced yesterday the death of its former player, Marcos Alonso Peña, the father of the current full-back for the team of the same name, at the age of 63, after a long struggle with illness..
Alonso, who moved to Barcelona from Atletico Madrid in 1982, won the King’s Cup, La Liga and Spanish Super Cup titles, and played alongside Diego Maradona during the Argentine legend’s time at the Camp Nou..
The club said, in a statement: “Barcelona extends its deepest condolences on the death of its former player and the father of first-team player Marcos Alonso Peña.”
Club president Joan Laporta, who asked the audience at yesterday’s press conference to observe a minute’s silence for Peña, said: “Our condolences to all of his family. May his soul rest in peace.”
Atletico Madrid said: “The family of the red and white team is in mourning for the departure of Marcos Alonso Peña. We extend our deepest condolences to the family. May he rest in peace.”
Alonso, who has 22 caps, was present in the Spain squad when they crushed Malta 12-1 in 1983 to qualify for the 1984 European Championship in France..
After retiring in 1991, he oversaw the training of Rayo Vallecano, Racing Santander, Seville, Atletico Madrid, Real Zaragoza, Valladolid, Malaga and Granada..
Alonso inherited the passion for football from his father, Marquitos, the legendary former Real Madrid player who won five European Cup titles, and the same in the Spanish League, and followed his path and transferred this passion to his son, who joined Barcelona from Chelsea.