| Estebán Pelaó | |
| Fullname: | Estebán Pelaó Gratacós |
| Birth Date: | 10 January 1898 |
| Birth Place: | Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain |
| Death Place: | Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Years1: | 1916–1924 |
| Years2: | 1924–1925 |
| Years3: | 1925–1928 |
| Nationalyears1: | 1920–1927 |
| Nationalteam1: | Catalonia |
| Nationalcaps1: | 8 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Manageryears1: | 1939–1940 |
| Managerclubs1: | CE Europa |
Estebán Pelaó Gratacós (10 January 1898 – 28 July 1980) was a Spanish footballer who played as a midfielder who played for CE Europa, Espanyol,[1] [2] and the Catalonia national team.
Estebán Pelaó was born in Barcelona on 10 January 1898 as the son of Pere Pelahó i Puigvert, and Maria Gratacós i Subirós, both born in Tortellà. He was the younger brother of Bonaventura Pelaó, who also played for CE Europe.[1]
Pelaó spent all of his career at CE Europa, except the 1924–25 season, in which he played for Espanyol.[1] [3] He played as a centre-half and was captain of CE Europa during its golden age in the 1920s,[3] playing a pivotal role in turning the club into an important team in Catalonia, competing head-to-head against the likes of FC Barcelona and Espanyol, and together with Juan Pellicer, Manuel Cros and Antonio Alcázar, he helped the club win the 1922–23 Catalan Championship after beating Barça 1–0 in a play-off title-decider on 21 March 1923, thanks to a lonely goal from Alcázar. Pelaó was the captain of the club that day, and he then lead CE Europa to their first-ever Copa del Rey final in 1923, which they lost 0–1 to Athletic Bilbao, courtesy of a goal from Travieso.[4]
On 10 February 1924, a match against FC Barcelona had to be suspended in the 38th minute when Europa's José Julià was sent off and refused to leave the rural area. He was punished with a one-year suspension along with team captain Pelaó, and the club was fined 1000 pesetas.[5] This incident resulted in CE Europa making a general assembly in which it was agreed to separate from the Catalan Football Federation.[6] Pelaó retired in 1928 after a 12-year career.[7] In total, he scored 15 goals in 134 matches with the club, all of which in the Catalan championship.[8]
As a CE Europa player, Pelaó was eligible to play for the Catalonia national team, and together with Paulino Alcántara, Sagibarba and Josep Samitier, he was a member of the Catalan squad that participated in the last edition of the Prince of Asturias Cup, an inter-regional competition organized by the RFEF.[9] He started both matches in the midfield as Catalonia beat Asturias in a two-legged title-decider to win the title.[3] [10]
As a coach, Pelaó managed CE Europa in the 1939–40 season.[11]
Pelaó died in Barcelona on 28 July 1980, at the age of 82.[12] Following his death, his relatives: children Esteve and Margarida; son-in-law Pero Haro; grandchildren Maria Angela, Maria Isabel, Francisco Xavier and Carles; sister Margaret; nephews, cousins, and the whole family want to know their health and acquaintances.[12] The religious ceremony took place two days later at 1:00 pm, in the chapels of Calle Sancho d'Avila no. 2 before being then transferred to the Southwest cemetery.[12]