1. Overview
Josep Maria Fusté Blanch (Josep Maria Fusté i BlanchCatalan; 15 April 1941 - 20 April 2023) was a Spanish footballer who primarily played as a midfielder. He is best known for his extensive career at FC Barcelona, where he served as captain during the 1960s and early 1970s. Fusté was a key figure in the Spanish national team that won the 1964 European Nations' Cup. Beyond his time at Barcelona, he also played for CA Osasuna and Hércules CF. After retiring from professional football, Fusté remained active, working as a public relations executive for the Catalan sparkling wine company Codorniu and serving as president of the FC Barcelona veterans association. Notably, he publicly supported Catalan nationalist Sixto Cambra in the 1989 FC Barcelona presidential elections, reflecting his engagement in the club's democratic processes and his alignment with a distinct political current within Catalan society.
2. Early life and background
Josep Maria Fusté Blanch was born on 15 April 1941, in Linyola, a municipality located in the Lleida Province of Catalonia, Spain. His early football development began in his hometown. In 1958, Fusté joined the youth system of FC Barcelona, a significant step in his burgeoning football career.
3. Club career
Josep Maria Fusté's club career spanned over a decade, primarily at FC Barcelona, but also included stints at CA Osasuna and Hércules CF. After his professional playing career, he continued to be involved with FC Barcelona through its veterans' team.
3.1. FC Barcelona
Fusté initially joined FC Barcelona in 1958. Following his integration into the club's system, he was loaned to CA Osasuna before returning to establish himself as a pivotal player for Barcelona's senior team. He spent ten seasons playing for FC Barcelona, becoming a prominent figure and serving as the team's captain throughout the 1960s and early 1970s.
During his tenure, FC Barcelona consistently performed strongly in La Liga, finishing as runners-up four times, though they were unable to secure a league championship during this period. However, the club achieved significant success in various cup competitions. In 1962, Fusté played in his first European club final, featuring for FC Barcelona in the second leg of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup final. Despite a 1-1 draw in that match, Barcelona ultimately lost to Valencia CF with an aggregate score of 3-7.
Fusté was instrumental in Barcelona's subsequent cup triumphs. In 1966, he played in another Inter-Cities Fairs Cup final, helping FC Barcelona defeat Real Zaragoza by an aggregate score of 4-3 to claim the trophy. Two years later, in 1968, he was a key member of the team that secured a notable 1-0 victory over fierce rivals Real Madrid in the final of the Copa del Generalísimo (now known as the Copa del Rey). This victory qualified FC Barcelona for the European Cup Winners' Cup the following season, where they reached the final but were ultimately defeated 2-3 by ŠK Slovan Bratislava.
In 1971, Fusté played a crucial role in inspiring FC Barcelona to another Copa del Generalísimo title. In the 1970-71 season, Barcelona narrowly missed out on the La Liga title, finishing just one point behind Valencia CF. The two teams also met in the Copa del Generalísimo final. With Valencia leading 2-0, Fusté, who had entered the match as a substitute, scored the first of four FC Barcelona goals, igniting a remarkable comeback that led to a 4-3 victory in extra time. After 197 La Liga appearances and 47 goals for FC Barcelona, Fusté departed the club in 1972.
3.2. Other clubs
Before establishing himself at FC Barcelona, Fusté was loaned to CA Osasuna. While with Osasuna, he made his Primera División debut on 3 September 1961. In this inaugural match, he scored a penalty, contributing to a 2-2 draw against RCD Español. During his loan spell, he made 26 appearances and scored 10 goals for Osasuna.
After his long and distinguished career at FC Barcelona, Fusté joined Hércules CF in 1972. At the time, Hércules CF was competing in the Segunda División. He spent one season with Hércules, making 27 appearances and scoring 2 goals before concluding his professional playing career.
3.3. Post-retirement club activities
Following his retirement from professional football, Josep Maria Fusté maintained a close connection with FC Barcelona. He continued to play for the FC Barcelona veterans team, delivering impressive performances until his final retirement from playing in 2000. In addition to playing, Fusté also took on a coaching role within the veterans' team. He further served as the president of the FC Barcelona veterans association, demonstrating his enduring commitment to the club and its former players.
4. International career
Josep Maria Fusté also had a notable career representing Spain at the international level, participating in major tournaments and contributing to significant successes.
4.1. Spain national team
Fusté earned eight caps for the Spanish national team, scoring three goals. He also made one appearance for the Spain B team in 1961. His debut for the national side came on 11 March 1964, when coach José Villalonga Llorente selected him for the first-leg of the 1964 European Nations' Cup quarter-final against the Republic of Ireland. Fusté marked his debut by scoring a goal in Spain's dominant 5-1 victory.
4.2. Major tournaments
Fusté was a crucial member of the Spanish squad that went on to win the 1964 European Nations' Cup. He contributed significantly to this historic triumph, playing alongside other prominent Spanish footballers such as Luis Suárez, Amancio Amaro, José Ángel Iribar, and his FC Barcelona teammate, Chus Pereda.
He also represented Spain at the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England. During the group stages of the tournament, Fusté scored a goal in Spain's 1-2 defeat against West Germany.
5. Career statistics
5.1. Club career statistics
| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| FC Barcelona | 1960-1972 | 197 | 47 |
| → CA Osasuna (loan) | 1960-1962 | 26 | 10 |
| Hércules CF | 1972-1973 | 27 | 2 |
| Total | 250 | 59 |
5.2. International goals
Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Fusté goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 March 1964 | Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain | Republic of Ireland | 2-0 | 5-1 | 1964 European Nations' Cup qualifying |
| 2 | 15 November 1964 | Das Antas, Porto, Portugal | Portugal | 1-0 | 1-2 | Friendly |
| 3 | 20 July 1966 | Villa Park, Birmingham, United Kingdom | West Germany | 1-0 | 1-2 | 1966 FIFA World Cup |
6. Honours
Barcelona
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1965-66
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Trophy Play-Off 1971
- Spanish Cup: 1962-63, 1967-68, 1970-71
Spain
- European Championship: 1964
7. Post-retirement activities
After concluding his professional football career, Josep Maria Fusté transitioned into a new professional role as a public relations executive for Codorniu, a prominent Catalan sparkling wine company. His engagement extended beyond the corporate world into civic and club affairs.
Fusté served as the president of the FC Barcelona veterans association, maintaining a strong connection with his former club and its community. He also became publicly involved in the club's internal politics, notably lending his support to Sixto Cambra, a Catalan nationalist figure, during the 1989 FC Barcelona presidential elections. Cambra ran against the long-serving president Josep Lluís Nuñez. Fusté's public endorsement of Cambra underscored his commitment to the democratic processes within the club and reflected his alignment with a distinct political current within Catalan society, challenging the established leadership.
8. Death
Josep Maria Fusté died in Barcelona on 20 April 2023, at the age of 82.