Ramón Torralba

Ramon Torralba Larraz (13 August 1895 – 6 June 1986) is a famous figure in the history of FC Barcelona.^[2] He was popularly known as la Vella ('the Old One') because of his long career with Barça.

Ramón Torralba

Catalunya Gràfica, 1922
Personal information
Full name	Ramón Torralba Larraz
Date of birth	(1895-08-13)13 August 1895
Place of birth	Ardisa, Aragon, Spain
Date of death	6 June 1986(1986-06-06) (aged 90)
Place of death	León, México
Position(s)	Midfielder
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1912–1914	FC International
1914–1928	FC Barcelona
International career
1913–1924	Catalonia
Medal record  Catalonia 1923-24 Prince of Asturias Cup 1926 Prince of Asturias Cup Team[1]
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Despite being born in Aragon, he moved to Catalonia at just six months old, and there he began playing football at FC International in 1912, before joining Barcelona two years later, with whom he played for the next 15 seasons, earning the nickname 'la Vella' (the Old One).^[2]

He played as a holding midfield and was known for his strength and sacrifices. He formed a partnership with Agustín Sancho and Josep Samitier on the midfield.^[2] He was a regular in the starting line-ups from the 1914/15 season until the 1925/26 season. With Barcelona he won 10 Catalan championships, along with four Copa del Rey titles in 1920, 1922, 1925 and 1926, with Torralba scoring the opening goal in the 1922 final which ended in a 5-1 win over Real Unión.^[3]

On 4 February 1917, he become the first player in the history of Barcelona to be granted a testimonial match, which took place at the Camp de la Indústria when he was still an active player.^[4] He retired on 1 July 1928, at the Camp de Les Corts, after a second tribute match.^[5]

Honours

Club

Barcelona

Catalan football championship:

• Champions (10): 1915-16, 1918-19, 1919-20, 1920-21, 1921-22, 1923–24, 1924–25, 1925–26, 1926–27 and in 1927–28

Copa del Rey:

• Champions (4): 1920, 1922, 1925 and 1926