Born in Madrid, Guti joined Real Madrid when he was 10-years-old and made his way up through the ranks. After 24 years at the club, he moved on to Beşiktaş.

In August 2011, 7 Turkish soldiers were ambushed by a terrorist organisation, PKK, and the country was in mourning. Guti scored a goal in the following game, a 3-0 win over Alania in the Europa League, and celebrated by kissing the Turkey flag on his shirt.