El Fifo remembered
Wednesday, November 6, 2002
Article summary
Joaquín Navarro Perona, who has died aged 81, was the first Spaniard to be picked for a FIFA World XI.
Article body
European champion
Consequently known as 'El Fifo', Joaquín Navarro was more famous for his exploits in the white shirt of Real Madrid CF, however. After moving to the Bernabéu from Sabadell FC in 1949, he made 272 appearances for the club in all competitions, winning three league championships and a European Champion Clubs' Cup. He also represented his country in that time, earning six international caps.
A tough defender
Joaquín Navarro was born in Gavá, Catalonia on 2 August 1921 and began his career as a 20-year-old with his local club, FC Barcelona. A tough right-sided defender, he spent a single season at Camp Nou before the switch to Sabadell. 'El Fifo' retired from football at the age of 36 and lived out his later years in Aragón, northern Spain. He will be buried in Barbastro on Thursday.