Branislav Kubala Daučík (10 January 1949 – 25 February 2018) was a Spanish professional footballer who played as a striker.

Branko Kubala
Personal information
Full name Branislav Kubala Daučík[1]
Date of birth (1949-01-10)10 January 1949
Place of birth Šahy, Czechoslovakia
Date of death 25 February 2018(2018-02-25) (aged 69)
Place of death Reus, Spain
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7+12 in)[1]
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1961 Real Betis
1962–1964 AC Milan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1964–1965 Espanyol 2 (0)
1965–1967 Sabadell
1967–1968 Toronto Falcons 21 (3)
1968 St. Louis Stars 2 (0)
1968 Dallas Tornado 9 (4)
1970–1971 Cartagena
1971–1972 Sant Andreu 0 (0)
1972–1973 Atlético Malagueño
Total 34 (7)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early and personal life

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Kubala was born in Šahy, Czechoslovakia, the eldest of three sons of László Kubala and Violeta Daučíkova.[2] Violeta was the sister of Ferdinand Daučík and the aunt of Yanko Daucik.[2] The family moved to Barcelona, Spain soon after his birth.[2]

Career

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Kubala spent time with the Real Betis youth team in 1961, before joining the AC Milan academy in Italy, where he spent two seasons.[2] Upon his return to Barcelona he played with Espanyol, making his professional debut on 3 April 1965 at the age of 16 years 83 days, a league record for the youngest player.[2] After one further appearance,[1] he then played for Sabadell,[2] before moving to North America with his family, where he played for the Toronto Falcons, the St. Louis Stars, and the Dallas Tornado.[3] After returning to Spain to undertake military service, he played for Cartagena, Sant Andreu and Atlético Malagueño, before retiring at the age of 24.[2]

Later life and death

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He died on 25 February 2018.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Branko Kubala at BDFutbol
  2. ^ a b c d e f g David Ruiz Marull (22 March 2012). "Branko Kubala, el niño que no pudo luchar contra el mito" (in Spanish). The Tactical Room. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  3. ^ "Profile". NASL Jerseys. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  4. ^ Joan Poquí (25 February 2018). "Fallece Branko, el hijo mayor de Ladislao Kubala" (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. Archived from the original on 16 July 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.