Migueli was born in Ceuta. After playing with Cádiz CF from 1970 to 1973, competing in Segunda División, he transferred to La Liga giants FC Barcelona, where he became an undisputed starter after just one league game in his first year, going on to play 391 matches in the competition (549 overall, club's all-time best until 5 January 2011, when Xavi surpassed him in a Copa del Rey match against Athletic Bilbao); whilst he was performing his compulsory military service in Cádiz he made his official debut for the latter, and upon his return, not aware that he needed two special permits to leave the headquarters, he was jailed for one month.