Former Liverpool striker, renowned Spanish soccer commentator Michael Robinson dies at 61

Former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Michael Robinson, who went on to become one of Spain’s most prominent soccer commentators, died Tuesday following a battle with cancer. He was 61. 

Robinson’s family announced the news on Twitter, saying (in Spanish) “With tremendous sadness we inform you of Michael’s death. It leaves us with a great emptiness, but also countless memories, full of the same love that you have shown him. We will be eternally grateful to you for making this man SO HAPPY, he never walked alone. Thank you.”

English soccer fans first noticed Robinson as the little-known striker from Preston North End that Manchester City paid £750,000 for in 1981. His time there lasted just 30 contests, and he spent the remainder of his pro career in England between Brighton, Liverpool and Queens Park. 

But his most important career move was his last. After wrapping up his playing days with Osusana in Spain, he stayed in the country and became fluent. Robinson transitioned hosting the popular soccer program “El día después” (on Mondays, the day after most club matches are played in Europe) on Canal+. That role expanded into a Saturday program, “El día antes.” “El día después” went off-air in 2005, but he continued serving as the color commentator on the popular Sunday night telecasts. 

“Spain is my home,” he told The Independent in 2002. “Spain has given me an awful lot. In England I often felt like a square peg in a round hole. I feel at home here. I laugh and cry at the same things as they do. So, England against Spain in the World Cup? I would want Spain, but, if England won, I would still feel very proud of England.”

Internationally, Robinson represented Ireland and earned 24 international caps (four goals). 

Robinson revealed in December 2018 that he’d been diagnosed with melanoma, which had already metastasized by that point. 

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.