In his second professional year, he contributed with 11 matches to the Asturians final runner-up position in La Liga, and became a defensive stalwart in the subsequent seasons.

After scoring nine league goals in his last two years combined (61 matches), Maceda earned himself a transfer to giants Real Madrid,[2] and netted five times in his debut campaign, which ended with a league/UEFA Cup conquest.

However, after a freak injury with the national side, he was forced to retire in 1988 at only 31,[1][3] amassing Spanish top flight totals of 223 games and 24 goals.

Maceda served a stint as a radio commentator subsequently, then took up coaching, most notably with his first club, being one of four managers in 1997–98 as Sporting ranked last with an all-time low 13 points.

[6] In Euro 84, played in France, Maceda headed the winning goal in the 89th minute against a then-invincible West Germany side who were also defending European champions, sending the country to the semifinals against an up-and-coming Denmark – where he also scored – in an eventual penalty shootout success.