Rafael Lesmes

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Lesmes and the second or maternal family name is Bobed.

Rafael Lesmes Bobed (9 November 1926 – 8 October 2012) was a Spanish footballer who played as a defender.

Rafael Lesmes

Personal information
Full name	Rafael Lesmes Bobed
Date of birth	(1926-11-09)9 November 1926
Place of birth	Ceuta, Spain
Date of death	8 October 2012(2012-10-08) (aged 85)
Place of death	Valladolid, Spain
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
	África Ceutí
1940–1944	Ibarrola
1944–1945	Betis Jadú
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1945–1949	Atlético Tetuán
1949–1952	Valladolid	78	(1)
1950	→ Atlético Madrid (loan)	0	(0)
1952–1960	Real Madrid	163	(0)
1960–1962	Valladolid	27	(0)
Total		268	(1)
International career
1955–1958	Spain	2	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Lesmes was born in Ceuta. Over 12 La Liga seasons, he played for Real Valladolid (two spells) and Real Madrid,^[1] appearing in 263 games in the competition. He began his career with local Atlético Tetuán, and retired in 1962 at the age of 35.^[2]

With Real Madrid, Lesmes was part of the team that won five consecutive European Cups.^[3][4][5] Subsequently, he worked with the club as a scout.^[6]

International career

Lesmes was selected for Spain's 1950 FIFA World Cup squad as an uncapped member.^[7] He would have to wait nearly five years to make his debut, however, appearing in a 2–1 friendly loss to France on 17 March 1955, in Madrid.

Lesmes' second and last international was a 6–2 win against Northern Ireland on 15 October 1958, in another exhibition game.^[8][4]

Personal life and death

Lesmes' older brother, Francisco, was also a footballer and a defender. Often referred to as Lesmes I as he shared teams with his sibling for four seasons, he spent his entire professional career with Valladolid, also being a Spanish international.^[9]

Rafael died in Valladolid on 8 October 2012, one month shy of his 86th birthday.^[10]

Honours

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 1953–54, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1957–58^[1]
• European Cup: 1955–56, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60^[1]
• Latin Cup: 1955, 1957^[1]