Ramon Torralba Larraz (13 August 1895 – 6 June 1986) is a famous figure in the history of FC Barcelona.[2] He was popularly known as la Vella ('the Old One') because of his long career with Barça.

Ramón Torralba
Catalunya Gràfica, 1922
Personal information
Full name Ramón Torralba Larraz
Date of birth (1895-08-13)13 August 1895
Place of birth Ardisa, Aragon, Spain
Date of death 6 June 1986(1986-06-06) (aged 90)
Place of death León, México
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1912–1914 FC International
1914–1928 FC Barcelona
International career
1913–1924 Catalonia
Medal record
 Catalonia
1923-24 Prince of Asturias Cup
Gold medal – first place 1926 Prince of Asturias Cup Team[1]
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Despite being born in Aragon, he moved to Catalonia at just six months old, and there he began playing football at FC International in 1912, before joining Barcelona two years later, with whom he played for the next 15 seasons, earning the nickname 'la Vella' (the Old One).[2]

He played as a holding midfield and was known for his strength and sacrifices. He formed a partnership with Agustín Sancho and Josep Samitier on the midfield.[2] He was a regular in the starting line-ups from the 1914/15 season until the 1925/26 season. With Barcelona he won 10 Catalan championships, along with four Copa del Rey titles in 1920, 1922, 1925 and 1926, with Torralba scoring the opening goal in the 1922 final which ended in a 5-1 win over Real Unión.[3]

On 4 February 1917, he become the first player in the history of Barcelona to be granted a testimonial match, which took place at the Camp de la Indústria when he was still an active player.[4] He retired on 1 July 1928, at the Camp de Les Corts, after a second tribute match.[5]

Honours

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Club

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Barcelona

Catalan football championship:

  • Champions (10): 1915-16, 1918-19, 1919-20, 1920-21, 1921-22, 1923–24, 1924–25, 1925–26, 1926–27 and in 1927–28

Copa del Rey:

References

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  1. ^ Vicente Martínez Calatrava (17 August 2009). "La Copa Príncipe de Asturias" [The Prince of Asturias Cup] (in Spanish). CIHEFE. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Ramón Torralba". Fcbarcelona.com. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Spain - Cup 1922". RSSSF. 12 February 2001. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Edición del Tuesday 6 February 1917, Página 4" [Edition of Tuesday 6 February 1917, Page 4]. hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com (in Spanish). Hemeroteca. 6 February 1917. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  5. ^ "Edición del domingo, 01 julio 1928, página 16" [Sunday's edition, 1 July 1928, page 16]. hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com (in Spanish). Hemeroteca. 1 July 1928. Retrieved 23 June 2022.