Rafael Moreno Aranzadi: The 'Pichichi'
The much-coveted Pichichi award has been won mostly by household Spanish players like D. Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Raul (Real Madrid), Ferenc Puskas (Real Madrid) - just to mention a few.
The Early life of Rafael Aranzadi
Rafael Aranzadi was born in Bilbao, Spain on May 23rd 1892. He was brought up in a relatively learned background but he was not willing to follow the footstep of his Uncle - Miguel de Unamuno - who was a great Basque writer in the early 1900’s or his father who was the Mayor of Bilbao at that time.
Why is Aranzadi called PICHICHI?
The Spanish Striker was nicknamed 'Pichichi' which means 'Little Duck' because of his stature and prowess in front of goal.
At Athletico Bilbao, the young striker was nicknamed 'Pichichi' because he was the smallest in the league and the shortest to have every played professional football in Europe - jut 5 feet and 1 inch tall.
Aranzadi's Football Career
In 1911 at age 19, Pichichi joined his hometown club, Athletic Bilbao. Despite his stature, he was proficient in front of goal and quickly broke into Bilbao first team. He participated in the Spanish National Championship (now Copa Dey Rey) in 1913.
At 21, Pichichi took the chance of becoming one of Spanish star strikers as he led the Bilbao side to a 3 - 0 win over Madrid FC (now Real Madrid CF) in the semi-finals of the competition - he scored two goals.
In the final against Racing de Irun (later Real Union) he scored another goal to the game ended in a 2 all draw after which a return match was played but he failed to find the back of the net and Bilbao lost 1-0.
In the first game at Athletic Bilbao new stadium - San Mames Stadium on August 21, 1913, Pichihi netted once again for the Bilbao side but again the game ended in a 1 all draw.
As Bilbao's star striker, Pichichi scored a double brace (4 goals) in the 1914 Copa Dey Rey semi-finals, demolishing their opponent with an over aggregateate score of 14 - 3 to booked their second consecutive place in the Copa Del Rey finals. Though Pichichi could not find the back of the net in the finals but Athletic Bilbao won by 2 goals to 1.
After their first Copa Del Rey triumph, Bilbao went on to win it again in 1915 and 1916 - becoming the second team to attain such feat.
Following the Copa Del Rey successes, Bilbao also won three Northern Championships and got promoted to the top tier league where Pichichi got exposed to the media and was nicknamed ‘el Rey del Shoot’ meaning ‘the Strike King’ by the Spanish Press.
Aranzadi's popularity grew with much exposure to the media when he insisted on wearing a white handkerchief on his head in every game - this became his trademark. Though his reason for putting on the handkerchief was to minimize the pain of heading the stitched ball. Pichichi was a great header of the ball.
Pichichi's Death
His football career lasted for only 10 years having started playing professionally in 1910.
Aranzadi is an infamous name outside of Spain. He was a very proficient striker which saw him represent his Country (Spain) in the first World Cup or European Cup.
Aranzadi died barely three months before his 30th birthday. He died on the 1st of March 1922, leaving behind a wife and child.
Rafael Moreno Aranzadi Records/Achievements
In only 10 years of professional football, Pichichi was able to bundle up in his cabinet the following:
- Aranzadi played in 6 Copa del Rey finals - of which he emerged victorious in 4
- He became the first player to score a hat-trick in a Copa del Rey final (1951)
- Bilbao won three Northern Championships and two Biscay Championships whilst Pichichi was at the club
- He won an Olympic Silver Medal scoring once and won 5 caps for his country (Spain).
- He retired with a record of 200 goals from 170 matches, making him the highest scorer in the history of Spanish football at the time of his retirement.
Other Jobs Pichichi did
Pichichi after his retirement as a footballer went into Officiating and made his debut as a Referee in a game at the San Mames stadium.
Aranzadi is immortalized by a painting of him and his wife by artist Aurelio Arteta. A sculptor of Pichichi was designed by Quintin de Torre and erected in 1926 outside Bilbao’s San Memes stadium. It is considered tradition for fans on their first trip to the ground to offer flowers to Pichichi, and in return, he will bless you with a prosperous and goal-filled season.
Spanish newspaper Marca decided to establish a trophy to award to the top scorers of each season in La Liga and the Segunda Division in 1953, and Rafael Moreno Aranzadi was the name the award was named after. The first recipient of the trophy, which is today known simply as the ‘Pichichi'.
Therefore, you now know the man they call Pichichi - he is Refeal Moreno Aranzadi
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