1. Overview
Inaxio Kortabarria Abarrategi is a revered figure in Basque football, primarily known for his unwavering loyalty as a one-club man for Real Sociedad and his pivotal role as captain during the club's "golden age" in the early 1980s, when they secured consecutive La Liga titles. Beyond his sporting achievements, Kortabarria is celebrated for his significant political act on 5 December 1976, when he and Athletic Bilbao captain José Ángel Iribar publicly displayed the Ikurriña, the Basque flag, at a time when it was still illegal under the post-Francisco Franco regime. This powerful gesture cemented his legacy not only as a football icon but also as a symbol of Basque identity and a proponent of democratic transition. His principled stand, including his explicit refusal to play for the Spanish national team due to his Basque political ideals, further highlights his commitment to his heritage and beliefs.
2. Early Life and Background
Inaxio Kortabarria Abarrategi was born on 31 July 1950, in Mondragón (also known as Arrasate-Mondragón), a town located in the Gipuzkoa province of the Basque Autonomous Community in Spain. He spent his formative years in this region, which deeply influenced his identity and later, his political stance.
3. Club Career
Inaxio Kortabarria dedicated his entire professional playing career to Real Sociedad, establishing himself as a one-club man and a legendary figure in the club's history. His career spanned 14 seasons with the first team, during which he became a cornerstone of their defense and a symbol of their most successful era.
3.1. Early Career and Debut
Kortabarria began his football journey within the youth academy, or cantera, of Real Sociedad. He honed his skills for several years playing for the club's B team, San Sebastián CF. His consistent performance led to his promotion to the Real Sociedad first team during the 1970-71 season. Kortabarria made his first-team and La Liga debut on 19 September 1971, in a match against Deportivo de La Coruña. In his inaugural season with the senior squad, he made 14 appearances, marking the beginning of a long and distinguished career.
3.2. Success with Real Sociedad
From his debut onwards, Kortabarria became an indispensable player for Real Sociedad, rarely missing a game. He was a key contributor to the club's most celebrated period, serving as captain during their "golden age." He played 30 and 31 matches respectively as the Basque club secured back-to-back La Liga championships in the 1980-81 and 1981-82 seasons. During these title-winning campaigns, he also achieved his career-best goal tallies, scoring five and six goals respectively.
A pivotal moment came in the final round of the 1980-81 campaign, where Real Sociedad faced Sporting de Gijón. In this crucial match, Kortabarria opened the scoring with an early penalty. The game ultimately ended in a 2-2 draw, which, though seemingly anticlimactic, was sufficient for Real Sociedad to edge out Real Madrid on goal difference and clinch their first-ever league title. Had Kortabarria not scored that vital goal, a 1-2 loss would have resulted in Real Madrid winning the championship.
Beyond the league titles, Kortabarria also captained the team to victory in the inaugural 1982 Supercopa de España. His leadership and defensive prowess were instrumental in the team's success, which also saw them reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions Cup in the 1982-83 season. He was considered one of the greatest captains in Real Sociedad's history and a key member of a formidable generation of players, including Luis Miguel Arconada, Jesús María Zamora, Roberto López Ufarte, Jesús María Satrústegui, and Periko Alonso.
3.3. Playing Style and Attributes
Kortabarria was renowned for his qualities as a central defender. He possessed a flexible physique that contributed to his outstanding defensive stability. Standing at 72 in (182 cm), his presence in the backline provided a strong sense of security for the team. In addition to his defensive duties, Kortabarria was also a significant threat in set-piece situations, often joining the attack and posing a danger to opposing teams. His combination of defensive solidity and occasional offensive contributions made him a well-rounded and highly effective player.
3.4. One-Club Man Career
Inaxio Kortabarria spent his entire professional career exclusively with Real Sociedad, a testament to his loyalty and dedication. He played for 14 seasons with the first team, making a total of 355 appearances and scoring 16 goals in La Liga, and 442 appearances (with 22 goals) across all official competitions, including his time with the B team, San Sebastián CF (where he scored 6 goals in 77 appearances). This makes him the eighth all-time highest appearance maker for Real Sociedad. He chose to retire at the end of the 1984-85 season, shortly after turning 35. In his later years, his playing time decreased as younger talents from the club's youth academy, such as Agustín Gajate (eight years his junior), Alberto Górriz, and Juan Antonio Larrañaga, emerged and began to take over his position.
4. International Career
Inaxio Kortabarria earned four caps for the Spanish national team within a period of less than one year. His debut came on 22 May 1976, in a UEFA Euro 1976 qualifying match against West Germany in Munich, which Spain lost 0-2. This defeat resulted in Spain's elimination from the tournament before the final round in Yugoslavia. His final appearance for the national team was a 1-1 friendly draw against Hungary in Alicante on 27 March 1977. Despite being considered one of Spain's most talented defenders at the time, Kortabarria was notably not called up to the national squad again after this match. This decision was largely attributed to his strong political views and his explicit stance regarding Basque independence, which was perceived by some as a lack of "public spirit" as a Spaniard. In addition to his appearances for the Spanish national team, Kortabarria also represented the Basque representative team in two friendly matches and earned 4 caps for the Spanish Olympic team between 1974 and 1976.
5. Political Stance and the Ikurriña Incident
Inaxio Kortabarria was a figure deeply committed to his Basque identity and political ideals, which significantly influenced his career beyond the football pitch. He was one of the few Basque players who openly expressed his political stance, including explicitly refusing to play for the Spanish national team due to his support for Basque independence. This principled position led to him not being called up to the Spanish national team after 1977, despite his talent.
His most iconic political act occurred on 5 December 1976, before a highly anticipated Basque Derby match between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao at Real Sociedad's home ground, Estadio de Atotxa. In a powerful display of Basque unity and identity, Kortabarria, as captain of Real Sociedad, walked onto the pitch alongside the opposing captain, José Ángel Iribar of Athletic Bilbao. Together, they carried the Ikurriña, the traditional Basque flag, and ceremonially placed it on the center-circle of the pitch.
This act was profoundly significant because, although Francisco Franco had died the previous year, the Ikurriña was still officially illegal to display in public. The public display of the flag by two prominent Basque football captains was the first of its kind since the end of the Francoist dictatorship. The photograph of Kortabarria and Iribar holding the Ikurriña became a potent symbol of Basque nationalism and was widely received positively by many as a foundational step in the democratic transition of the Basque Country. This incident underscored Kortabarria's role not just as a sportsman, but as a courageous figure who used his platform to advocate for Basque identity and self-determination during a critical period of political change in Spain.
6. Honours
- La Liga: 1980-81, 1981-82
- Supercopa de España: 1982
7. Legacy and Impact
Inaxio Kortabarria's legacy is multifaceted, encompassing both his exceptional sporting achievements and his profound socio-political impact. As a one-club man and captain of Real Sociedad, he is remembered as a cornerstone of the team's "golden age," leading them to their historic back-to-back La Liga titles in the early 1980s and the 1982 Supercopa de España. His consistent performance as a central defender and his leadership qualities cemented his place as one of the greatest captains in the club's history.
Beyond the pitch, Kortabarria's most enduring legacy is tied to his courageous political stance. The symbolic act of displaying the Ikurriña with Athletic Bilbao captain José Ángel Iribar in 1976, at a time when the Basque flag was still illegal, transformed him into a powerful symbol of Basque identity and a figure advocating for democratic freedoms. This act was widely seen as a crucial moment in the democratic transition of the Basque Country, embodying the aspirations of a people seeking recognition and self-determination after decades of authoritarian rule. His principled refusal to play for the Spanish national team due to his Basque political ideals further solidified his image as a defender of his people's rights and identity. Kortabarria's combination of sporting excellence and unwavering commitment to his cultural and political beliefs ensures his lasting impact on both Real Sociedad's history and the broader narrative of Basque society.