Toni Prats

Antonio Prats Cervera, (Capdepera, Balearic Islands, September 9, 1971), is a former Spanish international footballer who played as a goalkeeper. In the 17 years that he remained active as a professional in Spanish football, he stood out at Real Mallorca where he debuted and at Real Betis for which he played for nine years and with which he won a Copa del Rey. He retired in 2008 at Hércules C.F.

Career

He began his professional career at Real Mallorca B, in the 1991/92 season. Later, and for 4 seasons he played in the first team of Real Club Deportivo Mallorca, where he stood out as one of the best goalkeepers in the First Division. He made his debut in the Spanish top category with Real Mallorca, on November 3, 1991, in a match against Athletic Club. In the 1995/96 season he signed for Real Club Celta de Vigo, where he played 41 games in La Liga (50 goals conceded) and 2 in the Copa del Rey (4 goals conceded).

In the 1996/97 season he signed for Real Betis, for a price of 400 million pesetas and a termination clause of 30 million pesetas, one of the highest amounts paid at that time for a goalkeeper. From that precise moment he became the undisputed starter at Real Betis Balompié for 7 seasons, until in the 2002/03 season he was replaced by Pedro Contreras. During those seven seasons he experienced international experience, great results with Real Betis as well as an untimely injury in December 2004 that caused Toni Doblas to start. He was the first goalkeeper in the Spanish First Division to score from a direct free kick, scoring goals against Real Madrid CF and Club Atlético de Madrid in the same season.

The 2004/05 season was spent practically blank, with Zinedine Zidane's knee injured in the Real Betis–Real Madrid CF match. He returned in the penultimate League game, against Real Zaragoza. His last performance with the Betic team was against RCD Real Mallorca. In July 2005 he returned to his original club, Real Club Deportivo Mallorca.

In July 2007 he signed for Hércules CF. He played the first 7 games of the 2007/08 season in the Second Division and did not play again. Some disc pathology problems were detected that did not require him to undergo surgery, but that made him unable to train and play; Therefore, he terminated his contract with the Alicante club in February 2008. On March 7, 2008, he publicly announced his retirement from football as a professional player.

He confirmed his retirement on March 7, 2008 while at Hércules CF, after seventeen seasons as a professional footballer, due to a back injury. He is currently the sporting director of RCD Mallorca.

National team

He did not play any game with the Spanish national football team, although he was called up for the match against Cyprus, held on September 5, 1998, being a substitute for Santiago Cañizares in Spain's defeat that led to the dismissal of Javier Clemente as national coach.

Clubs

Palmarés

National Championships