Spanish football is in mourning for Joaquin Navarro, who has died aged 81, and was the first Spanish player ever selected for a FIFA world XI.
Navarro, who played for Barcelona, Sabadell and Real Madrid between 1942 and 1956, played in the Rest of the Worldteam who drew 4-4 with England at Wembley in 1953.
The match was staged to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the English Football Association. Navarro was picked for the game at short notice after playing well in a trial for the all-stars three days before in Barcelona.
Born on in Barcelona on August 2, 1921, Navarro played for Madrid from 1949, helping win three league titles, one Latin Cup and one European Cup – though he did notplay in the first final which Madrid won, by 4-3 against Reims in Paris.
By Keir Radnedge
