José Mari (footballer, born 1978)

{{Infobox football biography

| name = José Mari

| image =

| caption =

| fullname = José Maria Romero Poyón{{cite news|url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/envivos/fichas/1/066/66.html|title=JOSE MARI Romero Poyón|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|access-date=26 March 2020}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|12|10|df=y}}

| birth_place = Seville, Spain

| height = 1.84 m

| position = Forward

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = 1994–1995 | youthclubs1 = Lledón

| youthyears2 = 1995–1996 | youthclubs2 = Sevilla

| years1 = 1996–1997 | clubs1 = Sevilla B | caps1 = 25 | goals1 = 13

| years2 = 1997 | clubs2 = Sevilla | caps2 = 21 | goals2 = 7

| years3 = 1997–1999 | clubs3 = Atlético Madrid | caps3 = 84 | goals3 = 20

| years4 = 2000–2003 | clubs4 = AC Milan | caps4 = 52 | goals4 = 5

| years5 = 2002–2003 | clubs5 = → Atlético Madrid (loan) | caps5 = 31 | goals5 = 6

| years6 = 2003–2007 | clubs6 = Villarreal | caps6 = 113 | goals6 = 15

| years7 = 2007–2008 | clubs7 = Betis | caps7 = 21 | goals7 = 1

| years8 = 2009–2010 | clubs8 = Gimnàstic | caps8 = 49 | goals8 = 8

| years9 = 2010–2013 | clubs9 = Xerez | caps9 = 80 | goals9 = 27

| totalcaps = 476 | totalgoals = 102

| nationalyears1 = 1996–1997 | nationalteam1 = Spain U18 | nationalcaps1 = 7 | nationalgoals1 = 6

| nationalyears2 = 1998–2000 | nationalteam2 = Spain U21 | nationalcaps2 = 12 | nationalgoals2 = 5

| nationalyears3 = 2000 | nationalteam3 = Spain U23 | nationalcaps3 = 5 | nationalgoals3 = 3

| nationalyears4 = 2001–2003 | nationalteam4 = Spain | nationalcaps4 = 4 | nationalgoals4 = 1

| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}}

{{MedalCountry|{{ESP}}}}

}}

José María Romero Poyón (born 10 December 1978), known as José Mari, is a Spanish former footballer who played as a forward.

He amassed La Liga totals of 270 matches and 49 goals over eleven seasons, mainly with Atlético Madrid – for which he signed at the age of 18 from Sevilla, going on to score 34 times in 144 appearances – and Villarreal (four years apiece). He also played professionally in Italy for AC Milan.

José Mari was a Spanish international in the 2000s.

Club career

José Mari was born in Seville, Andalusia. After growing through the ranks of local Sevilla (first appearing with the main squad aged just 18, in a 2–0 defeat at Rayo Vallecano on 5 March 1997, and making 21 La Liga appearances with seven goals during that season, as his team was finally relegated),{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1997/03/06/pagina-30/372595/pdf.html|title=Vallecas tritura al Sevilla|trans-title=Vallecas chews Sevilla up|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Carlos E.|last=Carbajosa|language=es|date=6 March 1997|access-date=26 March 2020}} he signed with Atlético Madrid.{{cite news|url=https://fanatic.esdiario.com/latidoalatido/fue-jose-mari/|title=Qué fue de… José Mari (I)|trans-title=What happened to… José Mari (I)|newspaper=ESDiario|first=Andrés|last=Moraleda|language=es|date=7 September 2016|access-date=26 March 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326045520/https://fanatic.esdiario.com/latidoalatido/fue-jose-mari/|archive-date=26 March 2020}}

At Atlético, José Mari totalled 18 league goals in his first two seasons. Highlights included scoring at both home and away wins over Real Madrid in 1999 (separate seasons, both by 3–1); these happened to be Atlético's only competitive victories in the Madrid derby in a span covering almost 20 years.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1999/06/13/pagina-17/1385177/pdf.html|title=Más palo al Real|trans-title=Real get beat up again|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Miguel Ángel|last=Muñoz|language=es|date=13 June 1999|access-date=4 February 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1999/10/31/pagina-20/415873/pdf.html|title=Lorenzo, vaya vergüenza!|trans-title=Lorenzo, shame on you!|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Eduardo|last=Palacios|language=es|date=31 October 1999|access-date=4 February 2013}}

José Mari failed to settle in Italy after a €19 million move to AC Milan in January 2000{{cite web|url=https://www.90min.com/it/posts/4457225-il-milan-e-la-spagna-da-torres-a-jose-mari-quanti-flop-deulofeu-sfatera-il-tabu|title=Il Milan e la Spagna, da Torres a José Mari quanti flop! Deulofeu sfaterà il tabù?|trans-title=Milan and Spain, so many flops from Torres to José Mari! Will Deulofeu break the taboo?|publisher=90 Min|first=Niccolò|last=Mariotto|language=it|date=23 January 2017|access-date=26 March 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326045519/https://www.90min.com/it/posts/4457225-il-milan-e-la-spagna-da-torres-a-jose-mari-quanti-flop-deulofeu-sfatera-il-tabu|archive-date=26 March 2020}}– Atlético were relegated at the end of the campaign– and was subsequently loaned to the Colchoneros for 2002–03, their first back in the top flight after a two-year absence.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news/0187-0e6a9370d6bf-94ae3d401537-1000--atletico-move-for-milan-duo/|title=Atlético move for Milan duo|publisher=UEFA|date=5 July 2002|access-date=22 March 2025}} His second spell there was less successful, with the high point being a hat-trick in a 3–3 home draw against Athletic Bilbao on 10 November 2002.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2002/11/11/pagina-10/515236/pdf.html|title='El pupas' fue Urzaiz|trans-title=Urzaiz was the 'Pupas'|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Nika|last=Cuenca|language=es|date=11 November 2002|access-date=4 February 2013}}

José Mari agreed to a deal at Villarreal in the summer of 2003, for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0254-0d7b2203bedc-1e3d276fb4ff-1000--jose-mari-joins-villarreal/|title=José Mari joins Villarreal|publisher=UEFA|date=16 July 2003|access-date=26 March 2020}} He went on to play a key role in that year's UEFA Intertoto Cup triumph,{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/diario/2003/08/13/deportes/1060725602_850215.html|title=Villarreal, muy cerca de la Copa de la UEFA|trans-title=Villarreal, very close to the UEFA Cup|newspaper=El País|first=Juan|last=Pérez Ortiz|language=es|date=13 August 2003|access-date=26 March 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.diariocordoba.com/noticias/deportes/villarreal-jugara-uefa-primera-vez-historia_75764.html|title=El Villarreal jugará la UEFA por primera vez en su historia|trans-title=Villarreal will play UEFA for the first time in their history|newspaper=Diario Córdoba|language=es|date=27 August 2003|access-date=26 March 2020}} and the side's best-ever league finish (third in 2004–05, with four goals in 30 matches).{{cite web|url=https://www.vavel.com/es/futbol/2014/05/17/villarreal/351292.html|title=Partido para la historia: Real Sociedad 0–4 Villarreal (2004/2005)|trans-title=Historical match: Real Sociedad 0–4 Villarreal (2004/2005)|publisher=Vavel|first=Cristian|last=Fandos Ventura|language=es|date=17 May 2014|access-date=26 March 2020}}

In 2007, after falling out of favour at Villarreal with the arrival of Giuseppe Rossi and the recovery of longtime injury absentee Nihat Kahveci, José Mari returned to Seville, joining Real Betis on a one-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=578947.html|title=José Mari secures Betis homecoming|publisher=UEFA|date=1 September 2007|access-date=5 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620214746/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=578947.html|archive-date=20 June 2010}} He scored his first goal for his new club more than a year after his arrival, on 24 September 2008, in a 3–2 away loss to Barcelona;{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/253121/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|title=Barcelona 3–2 Real Betis|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=24 September 2008|access-date=15 October 2012}} despite still having a contract running until June 2010, he was released in late December and, the following month, moved to Segunda División with Gimnàstic de Tarragona.{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/2009/01/30/futbol/equipos/gimnastic/1233341118.html|title=El Nàstic ficha a José Mari|trans-title=Nàstic sign José Mari|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=30 January 2009|access-date=26 March 2020}}

In June 2010, after one and a half seasons of regular playing time, with six league goals in his last year,{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldo.es/noticias/aragon/huesca/2010/06/23/el-regreso-roberto-huesca-gana-enteros-91779-2261127.html|title=El regreso de Roberto al Huesca gana enteros|trans-title=Roberto's return to Huesca stronger by the day|newspaper=Heraldo de Aragón|first=Javier|last=Gil|language=es|date=23 June 2010|access-date=26 March 2020}} José Mari became a free agent and was released.{{cite web|url=http://www.gimnasticdetarragona.com/cat2/act-noticia.php?id=2868¬icia|title=Deu baixes segures|trans-title=Ten certain releases|publisher=Gimnàstic Tarragona|language=ca|date=23 June 2010|access-date=6 July 2010}} The following month, the 31-year-old signed for Xerez, recently relegated to the second tier.{{cite web|url=http://www.xerezcd.com/noticia/jose-mari-olfato-de-gol-para-el-ataque-azulino/5567/|title=José Mari, olfato de gol para el ataque azulino|trans-title=José Mari, goal flair for blue attack|publisher=Xerez CD|language=es|date=20 July 2010|access-date=22 July 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723021704/http://www.xerezcd.com/noticia/jose-mari-olfato-de-gol-para-el-ataque-azulino/5567|archive-date=23 July 2010}} He netted a career-best 17 times in his first season – 33 games, all starts – helping his team to the eighth position.{{cite news|url=https://www.diariovasco.com/agencias/20110512/deportes/futbol/jonathan-soriano-consolida-como-maximo_201105122358.html|title=Jonathan Soriano se consolida como máximo goleador de Segunda|trans-title=Jonathan Soriano consolidated as Segunda top scorer|newspaper=El Diario Vasco|language=es|date=12 May 2011|access-date=19 June 2019}}

International career

José Mari represented Spain on four occasions, in a two-year span. His debut came on 25 April 2001 as he played the second half of a 1–0 friendly win over Japan, in Córdoba.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2001/04/26/pagina-20/441788/pdf.html|title=Ensayo inquietante|trans-title=Troubling rehearsal|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Javier|last=Gascón|language=es|date=26 April 2001|access-date=4 February 2013}}

Previously, José Mari was a member of the national squad which won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. He scored three goals during the competition.{{cite news|url=https://e00-elmundo.uecdn.es/juegosolimpicos/delosjuegos/dia15.pdf|title=España tira una ventaja de dos goles y el árbitro ayuda a perder el oro|trans-title=Spain waste two-goal advantage and referee helps in loss of gold|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|date=30 September 2000|access-date=26 March 2020}}

Post-retirement

After retiring, José Mari began practicing bodybuilding.{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/deportes/2018/04/20/de-futbolista-a-fisicoculturista-el-impactante-cambio-de-un-ex-jugador-del-atletico-de-madrid-que-da-la-vuelta-al-mundo/|title=De futbolista a físicoculturista, el impactante cambio de un ex jugador del Atlético de Madrid que da la vuelta al mundo|trans-title=From footballer to bodybuilder, a former Atlético de Madrid player's shocking change that goes around the world|newspaper=Infobae|language=es|date=20 April 2018|access-date=26 March 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://as.com/deporteyvida/2019/04/23/portada/1556018928_003160.html|title=José Mari: la 'montagna di muscoli' que asombra a Italia por su transformación física|trans-title=José Mari: the 'montagna di muscoli' ("mountain of muscles" in Italian) which has Italy in awe due to his physical transformation|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Álvaro|last=Piqueras|language=es|date=23 April 2019|access-date=26 March 2020}}

Career statistics

:Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each José Mari goal.

class="wikitable sortable" \|+ List of international goals scored by José Mari
scope="col"\|No. !scope="col"\|Date !scope="col"\|Venue !scope="col"\|Opponent !scope="col"\|Score !scope="col"\|Result !scope="col"\|Competition
align="center"\|1	20 November 2002	Los Cármenes, Granada, Spain	{{fb\|BUL}}	align="center"\|1–0	align="center"\|1–0	Friendly{{cite web\|url=http://www.ccma.cat/324/espanya-guanya-bulgaria-amb-un-solitari-gol-de-jose-mari-sense-demostrar-res-de-laltre-mon/noticia/23601/#\|title=Espanya guanya Bulgària amb un solitari gol de José Mari, sense demostrar res de l'altre món\|trans-title=Spain defeat Bulgaria with lone goal from José Mari, without showing anything special\|publisher=Televisió de Catalunya\|language=ca\|date=21 November 2002\|access-date=11 June 2018}}

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ List of international goals scored by José Mari

scope="col"|No.

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Opponent

!scope="col"|Score

!scope="col"|Result

!scope="col"|Competition

align="center"|1

20 November 2002

Los Cármenes, Granada, Spain

align="center"|1–0

Friendly{{cite web|url=http://www.ccma.cat/324/espanya-guanya-bulgaria-amb-un-solitari-gol-de-jose-mari-sense-demostrar-res-de-laltre-mon/noticia/23601/#|title=Espanya guanya Bulgària amb un solitari gol de José Mari, sense demostrar res de l'altre món|trans-title=Spain defeat Bulgaria with lone goal from José Mari, without showing anything special|publisher=Televisió de Catalunya|language=ca|date=21 November 2002|access-date=11 June 2018}}

Honours

Villarreal

UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2003, 2004{{cite news|url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2004/08/23/champions/1093263539.html|title=El Villarreal vuelve a la UEFA tras ganar la Intertoto|trans-title=Villarreal return to UEFA after winning the Intertoto|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|date=23 August 2004|access-date=26 March 2020}}

Spain U23