Miguel Ángel Espínola

Miguel Ángel Espínola Jiménez (born 5 April 1974) is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as a right back.

Football career

Born in Guadix, Province of Granada, Espínola played mostly in his native Andalusia. In his first decade as a senior he represented Guadix CF, Motril CF, Manchego CF, UD Almería, Real Balompédica Linense, Recreativo de Huelva and Algeciras CF.

With Recre, Espínola competed in La Liga in 2002–03, starting in 28 of his 31 appearances as the season ended in relegation for the oldest club in Spain. On 15 December 2002, he scored his only goal to put the visitors ahead 2–0 at Real Madrid, but his team eventually finished with ten men and lost 2–4, with him being placed as a goalkeeper following José Antonio Luque's dismissal and not being able to stop the subsequent penalty by Luís Figo.

In 2004–05, Espínola played in Scotland for Clyde. He returned to his homeland in the 2005 summer, for one final campaign with Granada CF in Tercera División.