SpanishFootballerOlympic PlayerOlympic Medalist

Ramón Eguiazábal

Ramón Eguiazábal was a Spanish association football midfielder, notable for playing in Spain's first international match, winning a 1920 Olympic silver medal, and securing Copa del Rey titles.

1. Life and Background

Ramón Eguiazábal's life began in the Basque Country and concluded in France, marking the trajectory of a pioneering figure in Spanish football.

1.1. Birth and Early Life

Ramón Eguiazábal Berroa was born on April 14, 1896, in Irun, a town located in the Basque Country, Spain. His formative years were spent in this region, which has a rich footballing tradition.

1.2. Death

Eguiazábal passed away in 1939. While the exact date of his death remains unknown, it is recorded that he died in Lyon, a major city in the Rhône-Alpes region of France.

2. Professional Career

Ramón Eguiazábal's professional football career spanned both club and international levels, where he distinguished himself as a midfielder.

2.1. Club Career

Eguiazábal played for two significant Spanish clubs during his career. He had two distinct spells with Real Unión, first from 1917 to 1918, and then a longer tenure from 1919 to 1924. Between these two periods, he also played for RCD Espanyol during the 1918-1919 season. His time with Real Unión was particularly successful, marked by victories in the Copa del Rey.

2.2. International Career

Ramón Eguiazábal was a pioneering member of the Spain national football team. He made his debut for the national side on August 28, 1920, in a match against the Denmark national team at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. This historic match was the first-ever international A-match played by the Spanish national team. During the 1920 Olympic football tournament, Eguiazábal played in three matches, contributing to Spain's remarkable achievement of winning the silver medal. The matches he participated in during the tournament included those against Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

3. Achievements and Awards

Ramón Eguiazábal achieved significant success both at the club level and in his international career, earning several notable titles.

  • Real Unión
    • Copa del Rey: 1918, 1924
  • Spain
    • Olympic Games Silver Medal: 1920 Summer Olympics

4. Personal Life

Ramón Eguiazábal was originally from Irun, Basque Country, where he was born and spent his early life. Beyond his football career, specific details about his personal life are not widely documented.

5. Legacy and Impact

Ramón Eguiazábal Berroa holds a significant place in the early history of Spanish football. As a member of Spain's first-ever national team, he was instrumental in their inaugural international match and contributed to the nation's first Olympic medal in football. His presence as a midfielder in the 1920 Olympic squad, which secured a silver medal, established a foundational legacy for Spanish football on the international stage. His club career, particularly his contributions to Real Unión's Copa del Rey triumphs, further solidified his standing as a talented and impactful player of his era.