Espanyol and its fans are grieving Michel Pineda, a standout forward of the 1980s blue‑white side. The migrant scorer put down roots in Sarrià during a memorable era. The club confirmed Thursday that the 62‑year‑old ex‑striker, who wore the shirt from 1984 to 1990, has passed away.
Michel Pineda helped the team clinch third place in the 1986‑87 league under Javier Clemente and powered the historic 1987‑88 UEFA Cup run, which saw Espanyol fall to Bayer Leverkusen in the final.
Pineda joined Espanyol in the summer of 1984 from Auxerre, where he had befriended Éric Cantona. His parents, originally from Vitoria, emigrated to France in the 1960s; he was born there in 1964 and lived there until his Barcelona move. A young migrant eager to settle – and he certainly did.
Teammates recall Michel Pineda always looking beyond the next win or loss. Fresh out of his twenties, he told MD shortly after arriving in Barcelona, “La gloria del futbolista es efímera. Su época de esplendor pasa pronto.” In August 1984 he revealed a life already hardened by loss – his father died when he was 15 and a brother had also passed. For my money, that perspective defined his calm on the pitch.
Pineda logged 233 appearances for Espanyol, netting 73 goals, and earned a lasting place in supporters’ hearts. He later turned out for Toulon, Racing de Santander, Lleida and Alavés, hanging up his boots in 1996.
Thus life mirrored football on June 23 1993 when Pineda, now with Racing, scored the goal that sent Espanyol down to Segunda in a 0‑1 loss at Sarrià. He chose not to celebrate out of respect, shedding tears on the turf. The 0‑0 second‑leg draw secured Racing’s stay in the division. Will future generations remember his humility as much as his goals?