# Carlos Muñoz (footballer, born 1961)

Carlos Antonio Muñoz Cobo (born 25 August 1961), known simply as Carlos, is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a striker.
He represented seven clubs in his country, mainly Oviedo, moving to Mexico well into his 30s where he continued to score at an excellent rate. Over 11 seasons, he amassed La Liga totals of 314 matches and 111 goals.
Carlos was a Spain international in the early 1990s.

## Early years

Carlos was born in Úbeda, Andalusia, of Romani descent. At the age of 7, he moved to Catalonia with his family for working purposes, beginning his career with local amateur clubs and making his senior debut in the Tercera División with CF Igualada.
In 1981, Carlos moved to Cádiz for his military service, going on to spend one year out of football as Cádiz CF tried to acquire him, being denied by Igualada.

## Club career

In 1983, Carlos signed for FC Barcelona, going on to appear almost exclusively for its reserves during his spell – he did compete with the first team in the Copa de la Liga – and also being consecutively loaned to Elche CF, Hércules CF and Real Murcia CF, all in La Liga. In the 1987–88 season, still owned by Barcelona, he joined Real Oviedo of Segunda División, with whom he achieved promotion (finished fourth, but Real Madrid Castilla were ineligible) while winning the Pichichi Trophy.
Carlos subsequently returned to the Camp Nou and, despite his wish to remain with Oviedo, was sold to Atlético Madrid where he could never settle, being barred at the capital side by the likes of Baltazar and Manolo. He returned to the Asturians for the following campaign, proceeding to score 133 competitive goals for them; in seven top-flight seasons, he only netted once in single digits and had 20 in 1993–94.
Subsequently, Carlos had an abroad spell with Mexico's Club Puebla, where he continued to display his abilities. In a 12 October 1996 match against Tecos UAG, he scored four times in a 5–2 win. He retired from football altogether after a few games with another club in the country and region, Lobos BUAP, at the age of 40; he was the only player ever to be crowned top scorer in both the Liga MX and the Ascenso MX.

## International career

Carlos played six times for the Spain national team in six months, scoring as many goals. His first cap came on 12 September 1990 in a friendly with Brazil in Gijón, and he found the net after ten minutes in a 3–0 victory.
Following his stellar campaign with Oviedo, Carlos was overlooked by national boss Javier Clemente for his 1994 FIFA World Cup squad even though he was the best national scorer. The pair had had a run-in whilst at Atlético Madrid.

## Career statistics

    Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Muñoz goal.
List of international goals scored by Carlos Muñoz :
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 12 September 1990 | El Molinón, Gijón, Spain | Brazil | 1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
| 2 | 10 October 1990 | Benito Villamarín, Seville, Spain | Iceland | 2–0 | 2–1 | Euro 1992 qualifying |
| 3 | 14 November 1990 | Evžena Rošického, Prague, Czechoslovakia | Czechoslovakia | 2–1 | 2–3 | Euro 1992 qualifying |
| 4 | 19 December 1990 | Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain | Albania | 2–0 | 9–0 | Euro 1992 qualifying |
| 5 | 19 December 1990 | Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain | Albania | 6–0 | 9–0 | Euro 1992 qualifying |
| 6 | 27 March 1991 | El Sardinero, Santander, Spain | Hungary | 2–3 | 2–4 | Friendly |

## Honours

Individual
* Pichichi Trophy (Segunda División): 1987–88
* Mexican Primera División Golden Boot: Invierno 1996