His athleticism made him one of the best central defenders of his time. He had extraordinary physical strength and never shirked a challenge, which led to some memorable encounters with centre forwards. He belonged to the generation of Real Madrid players who took over from the so-called ‘Yeyé’ team. At the age of 16, he was already playing with the Real Madrid youth team and on the 4th of August 1969 he signed his first professional contract with his beloved club. He made his debut the same year on the 27th of October in San Sebastian against Real Sociedad. This was an unforgettable day which meant that he was finally a true Real Madrid player. This was just the start of a fantastic career with the Whites in which he won 11 titles in official competitions, six Ligas and five Spanish Cups. He retired at the end of a brilliant career in the 1981/82 season by winning the Spanish Cup with teammates like Gallego, Del Bosque, Camacho, Juanito and Santillana. This was a magnificent finale for a man who always gave his all for the club. (from: realmadrid.com)
NAME: Gregorio Benito Rubio
DATE OF BIRTH: 21/10/1946
PLACE OF BIRTH: Puente del Arzobispo (Toledo)
NATIONALITY: Spain
HEIGHT: 180 cm
POSITION: Defender, Centre back
Nickname: Goyo
LEAGUES
Rayo Vallecano
1966/67 Segunda Division (20/0) 6th
1967/68 Segunda Division (23/1) 4th
Real Madrid
1969/70 La Liga (20/0) 6th
1970/71 La Liga (27/0) 4th
1971/72 La Liga (28/0) 1st
1972/73 La Liga (30/0) 4th
1973/74 La Liga (31/0) 8th
1974/75 La Liga (32/0) 1st
1975/76 La Liga (29/0) 1st
1976/77 La Liga (25/0) 9th
1977/78 La Liga (22/0) 1st
1978/79 La Liga (30/1) 1st
1979/80 La Liga (27/1) 1st
1980/81 La Liga (11/0) 2nd
1981/82 La Liga (5/0) 3rd
NATIONAL CUPS
Rayo Vallecano
1966/67 Copa del Generalísimo (1/0) R1
1967/68 Copa del Generalísimo (3/0) R32
Real Madrid
1969/70 Copa del Generalísimo (8/0) W
1970/71 Copa del Generalísimo (2/0) R32
1971/72 Copa del Generalísimo (4/0) SF
1972/73 Copa del Generalísimo (2/0) R16
1973/74 Copa del Generalísimo (6/0) W
1974/75 Copa del Generalísimo (6/0) W
1975/76 Copa del Rey (1/0) R16
1976/77 Copa del Rey (1/0) R3
1977/78 Copa del Rey (1/0) R16
1978/79 Copa del Rey (10/0) RU
1979/80 Copa del Rey (3/0) W
1981/82 Copa del Rey (1/0) W
INTERNATIONAL CUPS
Real Madrid
1969/70 European Cup (3/0) R16
1970/71 Cup Winners’ Cup (10/0) RU
1971/72 UEFA Cup (4/0) R32
1972/73 European Cup (7/0) SF
1973/74 UEFA Cup (2/0) R64
1974/75 Cup Winners’ Cup (6/0) QF
1975/76 European Cup (7/0) SF
1976/77 European Cup (3/0) R16
1978/79 European Cup (3/0) R16
1979/80 European Cup (7/1) SF
1980/81 European Cup (3/0) RU
1981/82 UEFA Cup (3/0) QF
NATIONAL TEAM:
Spain – 1971/78 (22/0) / U23
1968 Olympic Games (4/0) QF
HONOURS:
Real Madrid
La Liga: 1971/72, 1974/75, 1975/76, 1977/78, 1978/79, 1979/80
Copa del Rey (Copa del Generalisimo): 1969/70, 1973/74, 1974/75, 1979/80, 1981/82
La Liga (runner-up): 1980/81
Copa del Rey (runner-up): 1978/79
European Cup (runner-up): 1980/81
MOST MEMORABLE MATCHES:
1970 Copa del Generalísimo Final: Real Madrid 3-1 Valencia
1974 Copa del Generalísimo Final: Real Madrid 4-0 Barcelona
1980 Copa del Rey Final: Real Madrid 6-1 Castilla
References:
Goyo Benito, histórico defensa del Real Madrid (Mundo deportivo)