Former Barcelona and Spain goalkeeper Antoni Ramallets has passed away today at the age of 89.
The Barcelona-born footballer had spells in his early years in the game at Mallorca, San Fernando and Real Valladolid before becoming a permanent fixture between the sticks for the Blaugrana.
From the mid-1940s through to the early 1960s, Ramallets made 538 appearances for Barca in all competitions, 288 of which were in the Primera Division alone.
Capped 35 times by Spain, the ‘keeper’s performances during the 1950 World Cup in Brazil earned him the nickname ‘The Cat of Maracana’.
As a player, Ramallets won six League titles with Barca and five Copa del Reys, as well as two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups.
For his position, the player also picked up the Zamora Trophy five times during the 1950s, a League record that is currently held jointly with Victor Valdes.
Ramallets moved into management upon retiring and had spells with Valladolid, Zaragoza, Murcia, Logrones, Hercules and Deportivo Ilicitano, later to become Elche.
