Quick Facts
Biography
Antoni Ramallets Simón (1 July 1924 – 30 July 2013) was a Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and also a manager.
He spent most of his career at FC Barcelona during the 1950s and early 1960s, winning the Zamora Trophy as the best goalkeeper in La Liga on five occasions, and 18 major club honours.
Ramallets represented Spain in the 1950 World Cup and, in the 1960s, managed several clubs in his country, notably winning two major trophies with Zaragoza.
Club career
Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Ramallets signed for FC Barcelona in 1947 at the age of 23, from Real Valladolid, where he also spent his first season after being purchased, on loan. He returned to the club to play second-fiddle to Juan Velasco, making his La Liga debut in a 2–1 win against Sevilla FC on 28 November 1948. Although this was his only appearance during the season he eventually became the starter, being an essential defensive unit as his team – then named Club de Fútbol Barcelona – went on to win six leagues and five domestic cups; in 1951–52, as Barça won five major trophies, he contributed with 28 league games, being awarded his first Ricardo Zamora Trophy.
During the 1950s, Ramallets was a prominent member of the successful Barcelona team that also included Joan Segarra, Marià Gonzalvo, László Kubala, Sándor Kocsis, Evaristo, Luis Suárez and Zoltán Czibor. During his spell with the club he made 538 appearances, including 288 in the domestic league; on 6 March 1962 the Blaugrana played a testimonial in his honour against Hamburger SV, winning 5–1.
Ramallets coached several clubs during the following decade, including old acquaintance Valladolid. In the 1963–64 campaign he led Real Zaragoza to the fourth place in the league, the Spanish Cup and the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup – a competition he had won twice as a player with Barcelona – winning over fellow league team Valencia CF in the latter.
International career
Ramallets played 35 games for Spain during 11 years, making his debut against Chile on 29 June 1950, during the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. During the tournament he earned the nickname The Cat of Maracaná, helping the nation to the second group stage.
Ramallets also played seven games for the unofficial Catalan national side.
Death
Ramallets died in his Vilafranca del Penedès home near Barcelona, on 31 July 2013. He was 89 years old.
Honours
Player
Club
- Barcelona
- La Liga: 1947–48, 1948–49, 1951–52, 1952–53, 1958–59, 1959–60
- Copa del Generalísimo: 1951, 1952, 1952–53, 1957, 1958–59
- Copa Eva Duarte: 1948, 1952, 1953
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1955–58, 1958–60
- Latin Cup: 1949, 1952
Individual
- Zamora Trophy: 1951–52, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1958–59, 1959–60
Manager
- Zaragoza
- Copa del Generalísimo: 1963–64
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1963–64