Quick Facts
VirgoBiography
Mikel Lasa Goikoetxea (born 9 September 1971) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a left back.
He played 267 La Liga games during 13 seasons (six goals scored), representing Real Sociedad, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao. He was part of the squad that won the Olympic gold medal in 1992.
Club career
Lasa was born in Legorreta, Gipuzkoa. He was a product of local Real Sociedad's youth ranks, and made his La Liga debuts not yet aged 18, as the Basque side was coached by John Toshack, during the 1988–89 season.
After delivering as a young talent, Lasa signed with Real Madrid for the 1991–92 campaign for approximately €1.7 million, seen as a replacement for ageing Rafael Gordillo. After struggling initially with the merengues, barred by Francisco Villarroya, he eventually became the starter, also netting in the club's 2–0 win in the 1993 Copa del Rey final against Real Zaragoza; however, he would be virtually absent from the lineups after the 1996 signing of Brazilian Roberto Carlos.
Lasa joined Real Sociedad's neighbours, Athletic de Bilbao, in 1997–98, being an important first-team element as it achieved a runner-up place. However, he played very little in his final three seasons and retired altogether in 2004, after second division spells with neighbours Real and Ciudad de Murcia.
International career
Lasa played twice for Spain in 1993, incidentally both matches being against Lithuania during the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He was also a member of the side that won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
Honours
Club
- La Liga: 1994–95, 1996–97
- Copa del Rey: 1992–93
- Supercopa de España: 1993
International
- Summer Olympic Games: 1992
- UEFA European Under-16 Championship: 1988
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship: Third-place 1994