Paulino Alcántara
Encyclopedia
Paulino Alcántara Riestrá (7 October 1896—13 February 1964) was a Filipino
–Spanish
footballer and manager. He spent most of his playing career at Barcelona
and was the first Filipino and Asian player to play for a European club. He also played for Catalonia
, the Philippines
and Spain
. Alcántara made his debut for Barcelona at the age of 15 and remains the youngest player to play or score for the club. He also scored 357 goals in 357 matches, making him the club's highest goalscorer (counting goals scored in both official games and friendlies). After retiring as a player in 1927 at the age of 31, he became a doctor
. On 5 July 1927, Barcelona played against Spain in a testimonial match in his honour and he later served as a club director between 1931 and 1934. In 1951, Alcántara became a coach and managed Spain for three games.
mother. He moved to Spain to play for FC Galeno before he was discovered by Joan Gamper
and signed up for Barcelona. He made his debut at the age of 15 years, 4 months and 18 days old on 25 February 1912 against Catalá SC
in the Campionat de Catalunya (Catalan football championship)
and Barcelona won 9–0, with Alcántara scoring the first three goals of the game. He was nicknamed "El Rompe Redes" (the net breaker) after he broke the net with a shot during a match against France
. Among his team mates during his time at the club were Francisco Bru Sanz, Jack Greenwell and Romà Forns
. He went on to help the club win a Copa del Rey
(Spanish Cup) and Campionat de Catalunya in 1913 and a Campionat de Catalunya in 1916.
. He helped the club win two Philippine Championships; in 1917 and 1918. During this time, Barcelona had failed to win a championship title in his absence.
. In 1920 the club won another Copa del Rey and the Campionat de Catalunya with Alcántara scoring in the 2–0 win over Athletic Bilbao
in the Cup final. The squad included Emilio Sagi Liñán
, who formed a partnership with Alcántara as well as Ricardo Zamora
, Josep Samitier
and Félix Sesúmaga
. This marked the beginning of the club’s first golden era and saw them dominate both the Campionat de Catalunya and Copa del Rey tournament. Alcántara scored twice in the 1922 Cup final, where Barcelona defeated Real Unión
5–1 and scored the winning goal in the 3–2 win over Atlético Madrid in the 1926 final.
in Tokyo
, helping them defeat Japan
15–2, which became the Philippines' biggest win in international football. In 1920 Alcántara, along with Zamora, Samitier and Sesúmaga, was selected to represent Spain at the 1920 Olympics
. However, Alcántara chose to stay at home to take his final medical exams. He eventually made his debut for Spain on 7 October 1921 at the age of 25 against Belgium and scored both goals in a 2–0 win. He made five appearances and scored six goals for Spain between 1921 and 1927.
Bohemian Sporting Club
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
–Spanish
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
footballer and manager. He spent most of his playing career at Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
and was the first Filipino and Asian player to play for a European club. He also played for Catalonia
Catalonia national football team
Catalonia national football team is the official football team of Catalonia. It is organized by the Catalonia Football Federation. The team has been referred to by various names including Selecció Catalana, Selecció de Barcelona and the Catalan XI...
, the Philippines
Philippines national football team
The Philippines national football team is the national football team of the Philippines and represents the country in international football. The team is controlled by the Philippine Football Federation , the governing body of football in the Philippines....
and Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
. Alcántara made his debut for Barcelona at the age of 15 and remains the youngest player to play or score for the club. He also scored 357 goals in 357 matches, making him the club's highest goalscorer (counting goals scored in both official games and friendlies). After retiring as a player in 1927 at the age of 31, he became a doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
. On 5 July 1927, Barcelona played against Spain in a testimonial match in his honour and he later served as a club director between 1931 and 1934. In 1951, Alcántara became a coach and managed Spain for three games.
Early career
Alcántara was born in the Philippines to a Spanish military officer and an IlonggaIloilo
Iloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,...
mother. He moved to Spain to play for FC Galeno before he was discovered by Joan Gamper
Joan Gamper
Joan Gamper previously known as Hans Kamper was a Swiss football pioneer, player and club president. He founded football clubs in Switzerland and Catalonia , most notably FC Basel, FC Zurich and FC Barcelona....
and signed up for Barcelona. He made his debut at the age of 15 years, 4 months and 18 days old on 25 February 1912 against Catalá SC
Football in Catalonia
Football is the most important sport in Catalonia and was introduced in the late 19th century by a combination of mostly British immigrant workers and visiting sailors, and students returning from Britain. Catalonia led the way in the development of football in Spain, organising both the first...
in the Campionat de Catalunya (Catalan football championship)
and Barcelona won 9–0, with Alcántara scoring the first three goals of the game. He was nicknamed "El Rompe Redes" (the net breaker) after he broke the net with a shot during a match against France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
. Among his team mates during his time at the club were Francisco Bru Sanz, Jack Greenwell and Romà Forns
Romà Forns
Romà Forns was a former Spanish/Catalan footballer and manager. He made his debut as a footballer in late 1902 playing one season for Irish FC but spent the rest of his career with FC Barcelona and the Catalan XI, always as a forward. He later served on the FC Barcelona board of directors and then...
. He went on to help the club win a Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
(Spanish Cup) and Campionat de Catalunya in 1913 and a Campionat de Catalunya in 1916.
Bohemian Sporting Club
In 1916, Alcántara returned to the Philippines and played for the Bohemian Sporting ClubBohemian Sporting Club
The Bohemian Sporting Club was an association football club based in Manila, Philippines. It was one of the first clubs in the country. It was the club of Paulino Alcántara from 1916–1918, who also played for FC Barcelona.- Honours :...
. He helped the club win two Philippine Championships; in 1917 and 1918. During this time, Barcelona had failed to win a championship title in his absence.
Return to Barcelona
After returning to Barcelona, his former team mate and manager, Jack Greenwell experimented with Alcántara as a defender, but failed to achieve success on that position, which saw him return to the forward line and in 1919, he helped the club win another Campionat de Catalunya. The club also reached the Copa del Rey final but lost 5–2 to Arenas Club de GetxoArenas Club de Getxo
Arenas Club de Getxo is a Spanish football club based in the town of Getxo, near Bilbao, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded in 1914, it currently plays in Tercera División, holding home games at Campo Municipal de Gobela, with a 1,200-seat capacity.It was among the pioneering...
. In 1920 the club won another Copa del Rey and the Campionat de Catalunya with Alcántara scoring in the 2–0 win over Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
in the Cup final. The squad included Emilio Sagi Liñán
Emilio Sagi Liñan
Emilio Sagi Liñán , was a former footballer who played as a left-winger for FC Barcelona, the Catalan XI and Spain during the 1920s and 1930s. He was the son of, Emilio Sagi Barba, the Catalan baritone singer, and as a result, was widely referred to as Sagibarba...
, who formed a partnership with Alcántara as well as Ricardo Zamora
Ricardo Zamora
Ricard Zamora i Martínez was a Spanish footballer and manager. He played as a goalkeeper for, among others, RCD Espanyol, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. As an international he played for both the Catalan XI and Spain...
, Josep Samitier
Josep Samitier
Josep Samitier Vilalta , also known as José Samitier , was a Spanish footballer, manager and scout who played for FC Barcelona, Madrid CF, OGC Nice, the Catalan XI and Spain...
and Félix Sesúmaga
Félix Sesúmaga
Félix Sesúmaga Ugarte was a Spanish Basque footballer during the 1910s and the 1920s. Born in Lejona, Vizcaya, he played as a forward for Arenas Club de Getxo, FC Barcelona, Racing de Sama de Langreo, Athletic Bilbao and Spain...
. This marked the beginning of the club’s first golden era and saw them dominate both the Campionat de Catalunya and Copa del Rey tournament. Alcántara scored twice in the 1922 Cup final, where Barcelona defeated Real Unión
Real Unión
Real Unión Club de Irún, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Irun, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country, in the province of Gipuzkoa, near the border with France...
5–1 and scored the winning goal in the 3–2 win over Atlético Madrid in the 1926 final.
International career
In 1915, Alcántara made his debut with Catalunya team and in 1924 he played at least six games and scored at least four goals for the team. In 1917 he was selected by the Philippines national team and represented the country at the Far Eastern Championship GamesFar Eastern Championship Games
The Far Eastern Championship Games was a small Asian multi-sport competition considered to be a precursor to the Asian Games....
in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, helping them defeat Japan
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
15–2, which became the Philippines' biggest win in international football. In 1920 Alcántara, along with Zamora, Samitier and Sesúmaga, was selected to represent Spain at the 1920 Olympics
Football at the 1920 Summer Olympics
The football at the 1920 Summer Olympics, was one of the 154 events at the 1920 Summer Olympics, held in Antwerp. It was the fifth time football was on the Olympic schedule. The tournament was contested by 14 teams, with host country Belgium winning the gold medals...
. However, Alcántara chose to stay at home to take his final medical exams. He eventually made his debut for Spain on 7 October 1921 at the age of 25 against Belgium and scored both goals in a 2–0 win. He made five appearances and scored six goals for Spain between 1921 and 1927.
Club
BarcelonaFC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
- Copa del ReyCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
(5): 1913, 1920, 1922, 1925, 1926 - Campionat de Catalunya (10): 1913, 1916, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927
Bohemian Sporting Club
Bohemian Sporting Club
The Bohemian Sporting Club was an association football club based in Manila, Philippines. It was one of the first clubs in the country. It was the club of Paulino Alcántara from 1916–1918, who also played for FC Barcelona.- Honours :...
- Philippines Championship (2): 1917, 1918
International
- Far Eastern GamesFootball at the Far Eastern GamesFootball at Far Eastern Championship Games was the only major international football competition in Asia pre–World War II. It was contested by China, Japan and the Philippines, with the Dutch East Indies joining the last edition of the tournament in 1934....
: 1917 (Silver medal)