1. Early Life and Personal Life
Luis Regueiro Pagola was born in Irun, Gipuzkoa province, in the Basque Country, Spain. After his football career, he was involved in a timber business, which he managed until his death. This section examines his personal life, family, and eventual passing.
1.1. Family and Personal Life
Regueiro married Isabel Urquiola in Coyoacán, Mexico on April 11, 1943. Together, they had six children: Luis, José Manuel, Juan María, Maite, María Isabel, and Lourdes. His son, Luis Regueiro Urquiola, followed in his footsteps and also became a professional footballer. Luis's younger brother, Pedro Regueiro, also played alongside him at Real Madrid. After concluding his football career, Luis Regueiro Pagola embarked on a business venture dealing in timber, which he managed until his death.
1.2. Death
Luis Regueiro Pagola passed away on December 6, 1995, in Mexico City, Mexico, at the age of 87.
2. Playing Career
Regueiro enjoyed a comprehensive professional football career, starting in Spain before the Spanish Civil War led to his impactful relocation to Mexico, where he continued to play at a high level. He also distinguished himself in international competitions for both the Spanish national team and the Basque national team. This section details his club career, his experiences during the Spanish Civil War, and his international appearances and goals.
2.1. Club Career
Regueiro began his professional career in 1924, playing for Real Unión in the Basque Country. During his tenure from 1924 to 1931, he made 53 appearances and scored 37 goals. With Real Unión, he achieved notable success, winning the Copa del Rey in 1927 and the Gipuzkoa Provincial Championship in 1926, 1928, 1930, 1931, and 1932.
In 1931, he transferred to Real Madrid (then known as Madrid FC), where he played until 1936. At Real Madrid, Regueiro was a prolific scorer, netting 53 goals in 92 matches. His achievements with the club included winning the La Liga title in 1932 and 1933, the Copa del Rey (also known as the Generalísimo Trophy during part of this period) in 1934 and 1936. He also secured regional titles such as the Centro-South Championship in 1933 and 1934, and the Castilla-Aragon Championship in 1935 and 1936. From 1932 onwards, his younger brother, Pedro Regueiro, also became his teammate at Real Madrid.
2.2. Spanish Civil War and Exile in Mexico
The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 had a profound impact on Luis Regueiro's career, leading to the suspension of La Liga and his subsequent move to Mexico. During this tumultuous period, Regueiro was selected to be captain of the Basque Country national football team for its tour of Europe. This team was effectively a selection of Basque players, including former members of Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid. Regueiro, at 30 years old, was the oldest player and served as the team's captain.
In the 1938-39 season, Regueiro and most of his Basque teammates played under the name CD Euzkadi in Mexico's Primera Fuerza, an amateur league before the professional era. With CD Euzkadi, he made 10 appearances and scored 7 goals. Following his time with CD Euzkadi, he moved to other local clubs in Mexico. He played for Asturias F.C. from 1940 to 1942, a team primarily composed of foreign players, and won the Copa México in 1940 and 1941. He concluded his playing career at Club América, where he played from 1942 to 1944. During his time at Club América, he was present for the establishment of Mexico's professional Primera División in 1943.
2.3. International Career
Luis Regueiro earned 25 caps for the Spain national football team, scoring 16 goals. He represented Spain in major international tournaments, including the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and the 1934 FIFA World Cup in Italy.
At the 1928 Summer Olympics, Regueiro scored two goals in Spain's 7-1 victory over the Mexico national team in the first round. His two goals were the second-highest tally for Spain in that tournament, trailing only José María Yermo's four goals. Spain was ultimately eliminated in the quarterfinals by the Italian national team.
In the 1934 FIFA World Cup, Regueiro was a reserve in Spain's opening match against the Brazil national team, which Spain won. He started in the quarter-final match against the Italian national team in Florence, scoring the opening goal in the 30th minute to give Spain a 1-0 lead, though the match ended in a 1-1 draw. He also participated in the replay match held the following day, which Spain lost 0-1.
Beyond his contributions to the Spanish national team, Regueiro played 40 times for and captained the Basque Country national football team during its tours of Europe and the Americas, showcasing his leadership and skill on a broader stage.
2.4. Career Statistics
Regueiro's international goals for the Spain national team are listed below:
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | May 30, 1928 | Olympic Stadium (Amsterdam), Amsterdam, Netherlands | Mexico | 1-0 | 7-1 | 1928 Summer Olympics |
| 2. | 3-0 | 7-1 | ||||
| 3. | June 22, 1930 | Bologna, Italy | Italy | 1-0 | 3-2 | Friendly |
| 4. | 3-1 | 3-2 | ||||
| 5. | December 13, 1931 | Dublin, Ireland | Ireland | 3-0 | 5-0 | Friendly |
| 6. | 5-0 | 5-0 | ||||
| 7. | April 24, 1932 | Oviedo, Spain | Yugoslavia | 1-0 | 2-1 | Friendly |
| 8. | June 21, 1933 | Madrid, Spain | Bulgaria | 8-0 | 13-0 | Friendly |
| 9. | 12-0 | 13-0 | ||||
| 10. | March 11, 1934 | Madrid, Spain | Portugal | 4-0 | 9-0 | 1934 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 11. | 6-0 | 9-0 | ||||
| 12. | June 21, 1934 | Artemio Franchi, Florence, Italy | Italy | 1-0 | 1-1 | 1934 FIFA World Cup |
| 13. | January 24, 1935 | Madrid, Spain | Bulgaria | 1-0 | 2-0 | Friendly |
| 14. | January 19, 1936 | Madrid, Spain | Austria | 2-4 | 4-5 | Friendly |
| 15. | 4-4 | 4-5 | ||||
| 16. | February 23, 1936 | Barcelona, Spain | Germany | 1-2 | 1-2 | Friendly |
3. Managerial Career
Following his playing career, Luis Regueiro transitioned into management. He served as a player-manager for Club América in Mexico from 1942 to 1945.
4. Honours
Luis Regueiro Pagola accumulated several significant titles throughout his club playing career:
Real Unión
- Copa del Rey: 1927
- Gipuzkoa Provincial Championship: 1926, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1932
Real Madrid (Madrid FC)
- Primera División: 1932, 1933
- Copa del Rey: 1934, 1936
- Centro-South Championship: 1933, 1934
- Castilla-Aragon Championship: 1935, 1936
Asturias F.C.
- Copa México: 1940, 1941
5. Legacy
Luis Regueiro's lasting influence in football is prominently observed through his son, Luis Regueiro Urquiola. Born in Mexico in 1943, his son also became a professional footballer, playing as a midfielder. Luis Regueiro Urquiola went on to represent the Mexico national football team and participated in the 1966 FIFA World Cup held in England, thereby continuing the family's tradition of excellence in international football.