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Tiko
	Tiko in 2008
Personal information
Full name	Roberto Martínez Rípodas
Date of birth	15 September 1976 (age 48)
Place of birth	Pamplona, Spain
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Basconia (assistant)
Youth career
	Osasuna
Senior career*
Years	Team
1995–1997	Osasuna B
1997–1999	Osasuna
1999–2009	Athletic Bilbao
2008–2009	→ Eibar (loan)
Total
International career
2002	Spain
2003–2006	Basque Country
Managerial career
2017–	Basconia (assistant)
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Roberto Martínez Rípodas (born 15 September 1976), known as Tiko, is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as a central or a defensive midfielder, and is the assistant manager of CD Basconia.

He was known for his powerful shots^[1] and creative play, his long-range efforts being dubbed Tikotazo.^[2]^[3] Over 12 professional seasons he played mainly for Athletic Bilbao, appearing in 230 official games for his main club (nearly 200 in La Liga) and scoring 26 goals.

Club career

Born in Pamplona, Navarre, Tiko emerged through the ranks of hometown club CA Osasuna, alternating between the A and B-sides for some time, with the former competing in the second division. His professional debut came on 10 May 1997, as he scored an injury time-winner away against CD Badajoz (1–0).^[4]

In 1999–2000, Tiko signed with neighbours Athletic Bilbao, making his La Liga debut on 12 October 1999 in a 4–3 away victory over Málaga CF.^[5] He made 20 appearances all competitions comprised during the campaign, netting once.^[6]

From 2001 to 2006, Tiko was an undisputed starter in midfield for the Basques, often scoring from free kicks and dictating his team's play. In his final two seasons he was severely hampered by injuries^[7] and the emergence of Carlos Gurpegui and Javi Martínez, playing only a combined seven league matches.^[8]

In August 2008, deemed surplus to requirements, Tiko joined second level side SD Eibar on a one-year loan deal.^[9] He was immediately released upon his return to Athletic following the former's relegation, and retired from the game shortly after at the age of 33.^[10]

After his playing days ended, Tiko embarked on a career as a coach. In 2015, he joined the staff of Athletic Bilbao's reserves under former Osasuna teammate José Ángel Ziganda;^[11] in 2017 he became assistant manager of CD Basconia (the former club's farm team), working with Ander Alaña.^[12]

International career

Tiko topped a successful 2001–02 season (32 games, seven goals) with his sole cap for Spain, playing in a friendly with the Netherlands on 27 March 2002 as the nation lost 0–1 in Rotterdam.^[13]

Personal life

Tiko's younger brother, Francisco, was also a footballer and a midfielder. He played exclusively in the lower leagues, also representing Osasuna B.^[14]

Tiko's uncle Patxi was also involved in the sport,^[15] also playing as a midfielder and also beginning his career at Osasuna before moving to Athletic Bilbao.^[16]^[11]

References

^ "Spain round-up: Tiko inspires win". UEFA. 12 January 2002. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
^ "Tiko gana su séptima caja de cerveza" [Tiko wins his seventh crate of beer]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 18 March 2002. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
^ Goals with their own name: Tikotazos, Athletic Bilbao, 6 April 2020
^ Masedo, Fernando (11 May 1997). "El Osasuna resucita en Badajoz" [Osasuna come back to life in Badajoz]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 November 2019.
^ Barrero, Eduardo (13 October 1999). "El Athletic gana en Málaga un duelo que perdía 3–2 en el minuto 88" [Athletic win in Málaga clash they lost 3–2 in the 88th minute]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 September 2017.
^ "Málaga CF, un adversario incómodo en San Mamés" [Málaga CF, tough opponent at San Mamés]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 17 February 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
^ "Athletic dealt Tiko injury blow". UEFA. 9 October 2006. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
^ Olivares, David (4 July 2008). "Tiko asume su marcha del Athletic tras nueve años" [Tiko acknowledges Athletic departure after nine years]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 September 2017.
^ Ciordia, Fernando; Zuza, Santiago (27 December 2008). "Con las botas a otra parte" [Taking your boots elsewhere]. Diario de Navarra (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 February 2012.
^ Ugarte Lasagabaster, Amaia (3 June 2009). "Una regeneración completa, o casi, para una nueva etapa" [Complete regeneration, or nearly, for a new spell]. Gara (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 February 2018.
^ ^a ^b "Tiko se incorpora al cuerpo técnico del Bilbao Athletic" [Tiko added to coaching staff of Bilbao Athletic] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
^ "Lezama technical chart". Athletic Bilbao. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
^ Gascón, Javier (28 March 2002). "Ensayo preocupante" [Worrying rehearsal]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 May 2013.
^ "Txitxo: Francisco Javier Martínez Rípodas". BDFutbol. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
^ "Rípodas: Patxi Rípodas Oroz". BDFutbol. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
^ "Tiko: "La crispacion con el Athletic es mas rentable para el Gobierno Navarro"" [Tiko: "The tension with Athletic is more profitable for the Navarrese Government"] (in Spanish). Sentimiento Athletic. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2017.