Ricardo Zamora

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Zamora began his career with Universitari SC before signing for Espanyol in 1916. He made his debut on 23 April 1916 against Madrid FC, keeping a clean sheet in a goalless draw. He helped Espanyol win the Campionat de Catalunya in 1918. He left Espanyol in 1919 due to family pressure to study medicine, but soon joined FC Barcelona after a large offer. He returned to Espanyol in 1922. On 2 February 1929, he made his La Liga debut with Espanyol. Under Jack Greenwell, he helped Espanyol win the Campionat de Catalunya and the Copa del Rey in 1929. He joined Real Madrid in 1930. At Real Madrid, he helped the club win La Liga in 1931–32 and 1932–33, and the Copa de España in 1934 and 1936. In the 1936 final, he made a spectacular last-minute save against FC Barcelona. He was a member of the first ever Spain national team in 1920, winning a silver medal at the Olympic Games. He made 46 official appearances for Spain, including the 4–3 win over England on 15 May 1929 despite playing with a broken sternum. He also represented Spain at the 1934 World Cup. He played at least 13 games for the Catalan XI, helping them win the Prince of Asturias Cup in 1923–24 and 1926. During the Spanish Civil War, he was arrested by Republican militia and imprisoned at the Modelo prison, but was released after the Argentinian Embassy interceded. He later played for a Spain XI in a benefit game for Nationalist soldiers on 8 December 1938. In the 1950s, the Franco regime awarded him the Great Cross of the Order of Cisneros.

In Their Own Story

On 15 May 1929, Zamora played for Spain against England in a game where England took a 2-0 lead within 20 minutes following mistakes from him, who had injured his sternum early on. Despite that he carried on playing and Spain won the game 4–3, becoming the first team from outside the British Isles to defeat England. Zamora also represented Spain at the 1934 World Cup. In the 1936 Copa del Rey final, playing for Real Madrid against FC Barcelona, Barça's attempts to equalize in the final minutes were thwarted by Zamora's spectacular save from Josep Escolà.

Reader's Guide

Zamora, nicknamed El Divino, was noted for wearing a cloth cap and a white polo-neck jumper on the field. As a goalkeeper, he was known for his athleticism, quick reflexes, shot-stopping abilities, large frame, and bravery. He is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation. The Ricardo Zamora Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper in La Liga, is named in his honour. He was also the subject of controversy: he allegedly enjoyed drinking Cognac and smoking up to three packs of cigarettes a day. During the 1920 Olympic Games he was sent off against Italy after punching an opponent, and on the way back from the same tournament he was arrested, imprisoned and fined for attempting to smuggle Havana cigars. In 1922 he was suspended for a year for lying to tax authorities about his signing-on fee. He also received 40,000 pesetas of the 150,000 peseta fee that took him from Espanyol to Real Madrid.

Did You Know?

• Zamora kept a clean sheet in his debut for Espanyol on 23 April 1916 against Madrid FC.
• He played with a broken sternum in Spain's 4–3 win over England on 15 May 1929.
• He was imprisoned during the Spanish Civil War but released after the Argentinian Embassy interceded.
• The Ricardo Zamora Trophy is named after him.