Michael Robinson will always be remembered in England as a European Cup winner with Liverpool and a popular television pundit.
In Spain, however, he became something altogether different.
The former striker grew into one of the country's most influential media personalities, helping to change the way Spanish football was covered long after his playing career had ended.
According to author Brendan Madden, Robinson's journey from English footballer to Spanish cultural figure is one of the stories that best represents the unusual paths football careers can take.
Speaking to Football Presse about his book "Once Upon a Time in La Liga", Madden explained why Robinson's story was one he was determined to include.
"I've always loved this story."
"I mean, yeah, I say it's like Spanish football's forgotten tales, but in a way, this is a little bit of a luxury because people know him, but I really, really wanted to write about Michael Robinson."
For Madden, Robinson's appeal went far beyond what he achieved on the pitch.
After winning the European Cup with Liverpool in 1984, Robinson finished his playing career with Osasuna before deciding to remain in Spain.
It proved to be a life-changing decision.
"It always fascinated me how he's made this leap.
"He wins the European Cup with Liverpool.
"He has this incredible attachment to Liverpool.
"But then he, at the tail end of his career, goes to Osasuna and really never goes back, if you know what I mean."
Madden's own connection to Robinson stretches back to his previous career analysing Spanish football.
Long before becoming an author, he spent years watching La Liga broadcasts while working in the betting industry, with Robinson becoming an unexpected teacher as he learned the language.
"When I go back to my old world, when I was sitting in the office and we luckily had Spanish TV and I was learning Spanish, he was on TV.
"He was actually one of the ones I could understand better because he spoke it with this quite English way of speaking.
"It was a bit easier for me to understand him than the pure Spanish guys who just hammer away at 200 miles an hour."
Robinson's influence exploded through *El Día Después*, the groundbreaking Monday night football programme that became one of Spain's most loved sports shows.
Rather than concentrating solely on tactics and results, the programme looked for the stories surrounding football.
Madden believes Robinson fundamentally changed the direction of the show.
"He ends up on a show called *El Día Después*, which is a Monday night show, which ostensibly looks back on the weekend's football.
"But it ended up, especially under Michael's sort of editorial leadership, being a much more human show."
Instead of simply replaying goals and controversial incidents, the programme searched for moments that captured football's character.
"They send out these little packs of reporters. They're looking for stories about fans. They'd much rather find a kid who's going to his first game.
"Or find a sort of wacky story with the fans. They were always focusing on quirky things."
The concept proved hugely successful.
"It was quite a departure. It became such a massive thing in Spain. It really captured people's imagination."
For Madden, Robinson's popularity in Spain is still underestimated by many supporters in Britain.
"I've always just struggled to get across to people how huge he is in Spain.
"To people who remember him playing for Brighton, Liverpool, QPR, Ireland, etc. here.
"But yeah, absolutely massive."
Researching the chapter also gave Madden the opportunity to speak to people who knew Robinson best.
Among those he interviewed were Spanish football journalist Sid Lowe, former England defender Steve Foster and Robinson's close friend Mark Lister.
Those conversations helped build a much deeper picture than Robinson's football career alone.
"Sid knew him quite well, so Sid gave me an incredible interview about his relationship with Michael.
"I also managed to get hold of his best friend in football, Steve Foster, and one of his other best friends as well, Mark Lister.
"Three really touching interviews."
For Madden, Robinson's story perfectly captures what he wanted his book to achieve.
Rather than revisiting famous matches or trophy wins, it explores how football can shape lives in completely unexpected ways.
A striker who left England towards the end of his career ultimately became one of the defining voices of Spanish football.
"I've always loved this story."
More than anything, Madden believes Robinson's legacy shows that football history is often written far beyond the ninety minutes.
His career became a bridge between two football cultures, proving that influence in the game is not always measured by goals, trophies or appearances.
Sometimes it comes from the ability to change how millions of people experience football.
Brendan Madden is the author of "Once Upon a Time in La Liga" from Pitch Publishing - which is available here.
