Antoni Ramallets


Antoni Ramallets Simón was a Spanish football goalkeeper and manager.
He spent most of his career at Barcelona, winning the Ricardo Zamora Trophy as the best goalkeeper in La Liga on five occasions and 18 total honours. He represented Spain in the 1950 World Cup.
Ramallets managed several teams in his country in the 60s, 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 victory over 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 conquer six leagues and five domestic cups; in 1951–52, as they 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 side 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 teams over 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 – defeating 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 Maracanã, 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
Zaragoza