Antonio López Guerrero (Spanish pronunciation:[anˈtonjoˈlopeθɣeˈreɾo]; born 13 September 1981) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played mainly as a left-back.
He spent most of his professional career with Atlético Madrid, appearing in more than 300 competitive matches and winning four major titles, including two Europa League trophies. Also in La Liga, he played for Osasuna and Mallorca.
Subsequently, López was loaned for two seasons to fellow top-division club CA Osasuna, where he missed only five league games.[3] During his Navarre spell he scored twice (both of the goals coming in 2002–03), most notably in a 1–0 home win against RCD Espanyol on 15 December 2002.[4]
On 15 March 2009, López scored the winner through a rare header as Atlético came from behind 2–0 to beat Villarreal CF at home.[8] After the coach change, with former club player Abel Resino taking over from Javier Aguirre, he was made the starter, but an injury made Pernía finish the season in the starting XI.[9]
Benefitting from a road accident to Pernía in the summer, López played most of 2009–10.[10] On 2 January 2010, again with his head – but in the last minute – he netted against Sevilla FC at home to make it 2–1.[11] On 1 April, he scored in the same fashion in an eventual 2–2 draw at Valencia CF in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League,[12] a competition which was won in Hamburg with him playing the entire 120 minutes of the 2–1 victory over Fulham and lifting the trophy as captain.[13]
In late May 2012, after 343 official games, López was released by Atlético.[14] The following month, he signed for two years with RCD Mallorca with an option for a further season.[15]
López made his debut with Spain on 30 March 2005, in a 2006 FIFA World Cupqualifier against Serbia and Montenegro in Belgrade (0–0).[16] He scored his only international goal during the successful campaign, hitting home from 25 metres in the first minute of a 6–0 rout at San Marino on 12 October.[17]
Supposed to back up Asier del Horno in the final stages, López would not benefit from the former's injury days before the tournament started, as Argentine-born Pernía would be promoted to first-choice.[18] He would only appear against Saudi Arabia in Germany,[19] with Spain being eliminated in the round of 16.
San Marino
