Josep Samitier

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Samitier played as a junior for FC Internacional before, at the age of 17, he made his debut for FC Barcelona in 1919. As his signing-on bonus, he received a luminous watch and a three-piece suit. Among his teammates at the club was his childhood friend Sagibarba. During holidays at the Catalan resort of Cadaqués, Samitier and Sagibarba had played football with, among others, Salvador Dalí. He was also friends with the famous Spanish artist Salvador Dalí. By 1925 Samitier was the highest-paid player in Spain. He was a member of the legendary FC Barcelona team, coached by Jack Greenwell, that, apart from Sagibarba, also included Paulino Alcántara, Ricardo Zamora, Félix Sesúmaga and, later, Franz Platko. Between 1919 and 1933 he won twelve Campionat de Catalunya titles, five Copa del Rey and the very first La Liga title in the 1929 season. Among the goals he scored were four in the Copa del Rey finals of 1922, 1925, 1926 and 1928. In 1933 an aging Samitier found himself in dispute with the FC Barcelona management and he was dropped from the first team. Real Madrid, then known as Madrid CF, were quick to take advantage of the situation. Samitier was reunited with both his friend Ricardo Zamora and then Francisco Bru. Although his career with the Madrid club was short, he did help them win a title in La Liga 1932–33 and the Copa de España in 1934. The tribute match to Samitier was held on 13 May 1934 at Estadio Chamartín in Madrid, between Madrid FC and Espanyol, and Samitier scored both the first and the last goals of an 8–2 win. In 1936 Samitier made a brief start to his career as a coach. He succeeded Fred Pentland at Atlético Madrid in the middle of the season, but failed to prevent them from being relegated. However, Samitier's new career and Atlético's relegation were postponed with the start of the Spanish Civil War. He found himself arrested by an anarchist militia, but was eventually released and left for France on a warship. His escape was later used by the Nationalist side in an account printed in Marca. In October 1936 he joined OGC Nice as a player, where he was reunited once again with Ricardo Zamora. He subsequently scored 21 goals in 48 matches for the French team. He eventually retired as a player in 1939 and was briefly coach at OGC Nice in 1942. Samitier returned to Spain and became manager of CF Barcelona in 1944

In Their Own Story

In 1933 an aging Samitier found himself in dispute with the FC Barcelona management and was dropped from the first team. Real Madrid, then known as Madrid CF, were quick to take advantage. Samitier was reunited with both his friend Ricardo Zamora and then Francisco Bru. Although his career with Madrid was short, he helped them win La Liga 1932–33 and the Copa de España in 1934. The tribute match to Samitier was held on 13 May 1934 at Estadio Chamartín in Madrid, between Madrid FC and Espanyol, and Samitier scored both the first and the last goals of an 8–2 win. In 1936 Samitier made a brief start to his career as a coach, succeeding Fred Pentland at Atlético Madrid, but failed to prevent relegation. With the start of the Spanish Civil War, he was arrested by an anarchist militia, released, and left for France on a warship. In October 1936 he joined OGC Nice as a player, reunited with Ricardo Zamora, scoring 21 goals in 48 matches. He retired as a player in 1939 and was briefly coach at OGC Nice in 1942.

Reader's Guide

Samitier is a legendary figure of FC Barcelona, known for his playing career as a midfielder, his managerial success in 1945, and his scouting of László Kubala. He pioneered the midfield general role and was nicknamed Surrealista and Home Llagosta. Despite controversies including the Di Stéfano affair and defections to Real Madrid, he remains iconic.

Did You Know?

• Samitier received a luminous watch and a three-piece suit as his signing-on bonus for FC Barcelona.
• He was friends with the famous Spanish artist Salvador Dalí and played football with him during holidays.
• Samitier scored four goals in Copa del Rey finals in 1922, 1925, 1926, and 1928.
• He was arrested by an anarchist militia during the Spanish Civil War but escaped to France on a warship.
• Samitier played himself in the film The Stars Search for Peace alongside László Kubala.