Feliciano Muñoz Rivilla (21 August 1936 – 6 November 2017) was a Spanish footballer best known for his career as a defender. Born in Ávila, he became a regular presence in top‑level Spanish football during the 1950s and 1960s and remains remembered for his steady performances on the right side of the defence.

Club career and playing style

Rivilla spent the most prominent part of his club career with Atlético Madrid, where he established a reputation as a reliable full back. He combined defensive discipline with positional awareness and was valued for his consistency rather than flamboyant play. Teammates and observers praised his reading of the game and his ability to support both defensive duties and wide play when required.

International career

At international level Rivilla won 26 caps for the Spain national team. He was selected for Spain's squads at major tournaments of the era, including the 1962 FIFA World Cup in Chile (1962 World Cup) and the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England (1966 World Cup). Most notably, he was part of the national set‑up when Spain captured the 1964 European Championship, a landmark triumph in the country's football history.

Legacy and later life

Rivilla is remembered as a model professional from a generation when defensive roles were becoming more specialized. After retiring from playing he kept a low public profile but remained connected to the sport. His death in Madrid in November 2017 prompted tributes from former clubs and national teammates acknowledging his contributions on and off the pitch.

Notable facts

  • Full name: Feliciano Muñoz Rivilla; born 21 August 1936 in Ávila.
  • Played primarily as a right full back and earned 26 caps for Spain.
  • Member of Spanish squads for the 1962 and 1966 FIFA World Cups and part of the 1964 European Championship winning era.
  • Passed away on 6 November 2017 in Madrid, aged 81.

For further reading, contemporary match reports and retrospective profiles provide more detail on Rivilla's matches and the teams he played in; official archives and historical compilations of Spanish football also list his international appearances and tournament squads. See club and national records for match‑by‑match information at relevant sources (Spain football archives).