Eulogio Martínez Explained

Eulogio Martínez
Fullname:Eulogio Ramiro Martínez
Birth Date:11 June 1935
Birth Place:Asunción, Paraguay
Death Place:Barcelona, Spain
Height:1.74 m
Position:Striker
Youthclubs1:Atlántida
Years1:1953–1956
Clubs1:Libertad
Years2:1956–1962
Clubs2:Barcelona
Caps2:111
Goals2:62
Years3:1962–1964
Clubs3:Elche
Caps3:39
Goals3:7
Years4:1964–1965
Clubs4:Atlético Madrid
Caps4:2
Goals4:0
Years5:1965–1966
Clubs5:Europa
Caps5:10
Goals5:3
Clubs6:Calella
Nationalyears1:1954–1955
Nationalteam1:Paraguay
Nationalcaps1:9
Nationalgoals1:4
Nationalyears2:1958
Nationalteam2:Spain B
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:1959–1962
Nationalteam3:Spain
Nationalcaps3:8
Nationalgoals3:6
Nationalyears4:1956
Nationalteam4:Catalan XI
Nationalcaps4:1
Nationalgoals4:0

Eulogio Ramiro Martínez (11 June 1935 – 30 September 1984) was a Paraguayan-born footballer who played as a striker. He played for the Spanish side FC Barcelona in the 1950s and 1960s, and is remembered for being a prolific striker with an excellent finishing ability.

He was reputed to be the creator of the "Martinez Turn", which can be seen on Movietone footage of Barcelona's quarter-final match against Wolves in the 1959–60 European Cup. This move later received worldwide acclaim as the "Cruyff Turn" and although Johan Cruyff was at Barcelona when he demonstrated it in the 1974 World Cup, Martinez has never received any credit despite using it at least 14 years earlier.

Club career

Years at Barcelona

After leading Club Libertad to a Paraguayan League title in 1955, Martínez drew the attention of FC Barcelona who eventually signed him in 1956. Martínez soon showcased his talent in Barcelona by leading the team in scoring in three seasons (1956–57, 1957–58, 1959–60), obtaining two Spanish League titles, two Copas del Rey and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups.[1] [2]

Martínez also became part of FC Barcelona's history by scoring the first goal ever at their current stadium, Camp Nou, on 24 September 1957. The goal was scored in the 11th minute, in a friendly match celebrating the inauguration of the stadium against a Polish team. Barcelona won the match 4–2.[3]

Another impressive accomplishment by Martínez while playing for FC Barcelona was when he scored seven goals in one match, in an 8–1 victory over Atlético Madrid in a Copa del Rey tie played on 1 May 1957.[4]

Post-Barça Years

Hampered by being overweight, he left FC Barcelona in 1962, having scored 111 goals in 162 official matches. He went on to play for Elche, Atlético Madrid, and CE Europa.

Club statistics

Club performanceLeague
SeasonClubLeagueApps Goals
SpainLeague
1956–57BarcelonaLa Liga239
1957–581910
1958–59167
1959–602423
1960–61134
1961–62169
Total11162

International career

Martínez played for both Paraguay and Spain. For Paraguay he had 9 caps and 4 goals. For Spain he had 8 caps and 6 goals, and was part of the Spanish team that played at the 1962 FIFA World Cup. He played the opening game, a 1–0 defeat against Czechoslovakia, but was dropped from the team afterwards.[5]

Spain International goals

! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
1. 22 November 1959 4–1 6–3 International Friendly
2. 17 December 1959 4–2 4–3 International Friendly
3. 13 March 1960 3–1 3–1 International Friendly
4. 15 May 1960 2–0 3–0 International Friendly
5. 15 May 1960 Santiago Bernabéu StadiumSantiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain 3–0 3–0 International Friendly
6. 14 July 1960 0–4 0–4 International Friendly

After retirement

After retiring in 1966, he established himself in the Catalan town of Calella. In 1984, he was run down by a car while changing a flat tire. He spent 23 days in a coma before dying on 30 September 1984.[6]

Honours

Club Libertad

1955

FC Barcelona

1955–58, 1958–60

1958–59, 1959–60

1956–57, 1958–59

Atlético Madrid

1964–65

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Marca. Eulogio Martínez, el abrelatas del Barcelona. es. 22 February 2020.
  2. News: Diario Hoy. Kokito Martínez, un gran valor que dio el fútbol paraguayo. es. 11 June 2016.
  3. Web site: Camp Nou – Brief history. http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091003163149/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/club/club_avui/territori_barca/CampNou/intro_historica.html. dead. 2009-10-03.
  4. News: Mundo Deportivo. Un cañonero en la memoria de todos. 2. 26 October 1984.
  5. Web site: FIFA Report Match. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090801131439/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition%3D21/results/matches/match%3D1498/report.html. 1 August 2009.
  6. Web site: Historia del fútbol mundial.