Míchel (nickname)

In Spain, Míchel (stressed on the first syllabe) is a common nickname for Miguel, particularly frequent in footballers. Spanish footballers known as Míchel include:

Miguel Ángel Carrilero

Miguel Ángel Carrilero González (born 3 August 1977), known as Míchel, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a striker.

In a 15-year professional career, he appeared in 231 Segunda División games over the course of ten seasons (58 goals) in representation of six teams, adding 62/8 in La Liga.

Club career

Born in Madrid, Míchel first appeared professionally for UB Conquense (third division). In late 1997, after a very brief spell in Portugal with F.C. Penafiel, he moved to Rayo Vallecano, where he made his La Liga debuts in the 1999–2000 season.

Míchel returned to Rayo three years later, after two loans in the second level: with Sevilla FC, he was a very important offensive unit in a 2001 return to the top flight after a one-year absence. The following campaign, he represented Sporting de Gijón.

After leaving the capital outskirts side in December 2002, scoring only once in two top division campaigns combined, Míchel finished club top scorer in the following two seasons in level two, with Getafe CF (15 goals) and UD Almería (12), as both achieved first-ever promotions to the top level. In 2004–05's first division he played mainly as a substitute for the former – also from Madrid – netting twice in a rare start, a 2–0 home win against Real Sociedad on 8 May 2005.

Míchel (footballer)

José Miguel González Martín del Campo (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmitʃel]; born 23 March 1963), known as Míchel, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a right midfielder, and the current coach of French club Olympique de Marseille.

He was most noted for his stellar crossing ability, also contributing with a fair share of goals. During his career he represented mainly Real Madrid – over a decade – achieving great team and individual success.

Míchel gained nearly 70 caps for Spain from 1985 to 1992, and represented the nation in two World Cups (scoring four goals in the 1990 edition) and one European Championship. He started working as a manager in 2005, notably leading Olympiacos to two Superleague Greece accolades.

Club career

The son of a footballer who had to retire from the game at 27 after a road accident, Míchel was born in Madrid and joined Real Madrid at the age of thirteen, his technique and physicality on the pitch quickly standing out. He moved quickly through the ranks to the first team, appearing – and scoring – once in the 1981–82 season, in a 2–1 away win against CD Castellón on 11 April 1982.