Last update February 25, 2025 by Alberto Llopis
Alfonso Pérez Muñoz (Getafe, Madrid, 1972), "He White Boots Wizard“, He is one of those mythical Spanish soccer players of the years 90 and early 2000. Known for its elegance in the field and its distinctive use of white boots of the Joma brand that became very popular in the years 90, This striker stood out for its technical quality, Your scoring capacity and your intelligence for the game.
A early talent in the Real Madrid quarry
His professional career began in the Real Madrid quarry, where he demonstrated an innate talent from a young age. After standing at Real Madrid Castilla, debuted with the first team in 1991, forming part of a golden generation that sought to return the glory to the white team.
Remained in the club until 1995, adding up 89 parties and 13 goals, although without consolidating as an undisputed holder due to the fierce competition in the meringue front and a serious cross ligament injury at the beginning of 1994. Injury that surely deprived him of having been able to play the USA World 1994.
The arrival and the first stage at Real Betis
The big leap in his career came with his signing for Real Betis in 1995. In principle as assigned. And the following summer had its history.
In the Verdiblanco team, "he White Boots Wizard”He found the ideal setting to display his best version. In his first season he became the offensive reference of the team, signing 14 goals in 39 matches. His influence on Betis was growing and his society with players like Finidi George He led him to be considered one of LaLiga's best strikers.
This caused Real Madrid to repeat him in the summer of 1996. And even seemed to tell Fabio Capello even though the whites already had Davor Suker, Pedja Mijatovic and Raúl González.
However, an alleged pre -contract of Alfonso with Betis to play there after finishing his contract as a Madrid player in 1998, In the end, Madrid was sold that summer to the Verdiblancos by 1250 million pesetas. Thus Alfonso would face his second season, In the edition of the call "League of stars“, As Betis player. And that same year, I would confirm that he was one of the best strikers in Spain.
Between 1995 Y 2000, Alfonso played 152 matches with Betis and scored 59 goals, leading the team to compete in Europe and becoming an idol of the Verdiblanca fans. His class and elegance with the ball, as well as its effectiveness in the rival area, They allowed him to consolidate as one of the most feared attackers in the Spanish League.
Stage at FC Barcelona, Olympique de Marseille and return to Betis
In the year 2000, FC Barcelona opted strong for him and paid near 20 Millions of euros for their services. But nevertheless, His stay at Camp Nou was not expected. Between injuries and lack of continuity, Alfonso failed to stand out with the Catalans, Playing 21 matches and scoring alone 2 goals. In 2002, He was assigned to Olympique de Marseille, where he participated in 11 Encounters and marked 4 goals.
After his discreet passage through Barcelona and Marseille, Alfonso returned to Real Betis in 2002 With the intention of recovering its best version. In his second stage with the Verdiblancos, sumo 45 parties and 10 goals until withdrawal in 2005. Total, disputed 222 Encounters with Betis and marked 78 goals, which makes it the third maximum historical scorer of the club.
A reference in the Spanish National Team
Alfonso also left his mark on the Spanish team, with which he played 38 matches and scored 11 goals. Represented the red in the Eurocup 1996, The World Cup 1998 and the Eurocup 2000, where he signed one of the most memorable goals of his career: The decisive goal against Yugoslavia in the group stage, which allowed Spain to advance to the quarterfinals.
further, He was part of the Olympic team that conquered the gold medal at the Barcelona Olympic Games 1992, A milestone that marked his career and allowed him to enter the history of Spanish football.
The Wizard of White Boots
In his honor, And despite not having a player at the Getafe CF, The Getafe Municipal Stadium was baptized as Coliseum Alfonso Pérez in 1998 In a sample of affection to the prodigo son of the city. Although 2023 The Blue Club, He decided to change his name to simply Coliseum after some controversies of the former soccer player on the social network Twitter.
Despite having dressed the shirt of the 2 most important clubs in Spain and possibly the world, His passage through Real Betis was marked as the peak moment of his career, where he proved to be a leader inside and off the field. Your nickname, “The Wizard of White Boots“, It was already for the memory.
