Guillermo Amor Martínez (born December 4, 1967 in Benidorm, Alicante) is a former Spanish footballer, who played as a versatile midfielder.

[edit] Club career

A product of FC Barcelona's youth ranks, Amor made his first team debuts in 1988–89, under Johan Cruyff, and went on to quickly become one of the Catalonian side's most influential players, as it achieved four consecutive national titles and the 1991–92 European Cup (he did not play in the final, however). He left the club after 1997–98 and another league title, deemed surplus to requirements by new boss Louis van Gaal as longtime teammate Albert Ferrer, having played 421 matches overall for Barça, only behind club greats Migueli and Carles Rexach. In 1993–94, as the club conquered the last of a successive four leagues, Amor appeared in all matches safe one, netting a career-best eight goals.

He subsequently had his first abroad experience, appearing sparingly for Serie A outfit ACF Fiorentina from 1998–2000, and then returning to Spain with Villarreal CF, as the side had just returned to the top level.

Amor retired from football after a short spell with Scotland's Livingston FC, for which he signed in January 2003,^[1] making his debut on the 28th, in a 3–1 triumph at Partick Thistle,^[2] as the Livi Lions narrowly avoided relegation.

After retiring, Amor served a four-year spell at former club Barcelona, being responsible for the youth categories after Joan Laporta was named president in 2003. He left after the board of directors decided not to renew his contract.^[3]

[edit] International career

Amor represented Spain on 37 occasions, scoring four goals. His debut came in an Euro 1992 qualifier 2–3 loss in Czechoslovakia, on November 14, 1990, and he went on to represent the nation at both the UEFA Euro 1996 and the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

His last cap was a sour one, as Spain were downed by lowly Cyprus on September 5, 1998, in an Euro 2000 qualifier (2–3).

[edit] Honours

• Barcelona:
  • European Cup: 1991–92
  • UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1988–89, 1996–97
  • UEFA Super Cup: 1992, 1997
  • Spanish League: 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1997–98
  • Spanish Cup: 1989–90, 1996–97, 1997–98
  • Spanish Supercup: 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996

[edit] Club statistics

[edit] Car accident

On December 16, 2007, at 2:20, Amor was involved in a serious traffic accident while travelling from Valencia.^[4] Released from hospital after only a week, he later fully recovered.^[5]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• BDFutbol profile
• National team data (Spanish)

Guillermo Amor - Navigation boxes v • d • e Spain squad – UEFA Euro 1996 1 Zubizarreta • 2 López • 3 Belsué • 4 Alkorta • 5 Abelardo • 6 Hierro • 7 Amavisca • 8 Guerrero • 9 Pizzi • 10 Donato • 11 Alfonso • 12 Sergi • 13 Cañizares • 14 Kiko • 15 Caminero • 16 Otero • 17 Manjarín • 18 Amor • 19 Salinas • 20 Nadal • 21 Luis Enrique • 22 Molina • Coach: Clemente v • d • e Spain squad – 1998 FIFA World Cup 1 Zubizarreta • 2 Ferrer • 3 Aranzábal • 4 Alkorta • 5 Abelardo • 6 Hierro • 7 Morientes • 8 Guerrero • 9 Pizzi • 10 Raúl • 11 Alfonso • 12 Sergi • 13 Cañizares • 14 Campo • 15 Aguilera • 16 Celades • 17 Etxeberria • 18 Amor • 19 Kiko • 20 Nadal • 21 Luis Enrique • 22 Molina • Coach: Clemente