Branko Kubala
Branislav Kubala Daučík (10 January 1949 – 25 February 2018) was a Spanish professional footballer who played as a striker.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Branislav Kubala Daučík[1] | ||
Date of birth | 10 January 1949 | ||
Place of birth | Šahy, Czechoslovakia | ||
Date of death | 25 February 2018 69) | (aged||
Place of death | Reus, Spain | ||
Height | 1.71 m (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in)[1] | ||
Position(s) | Striker | ||
Youth career | |||
1961 | Real Betis | ||
1962–1964 | AC Milan | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1964–1965 | Espanyol | 2 | (0) |
1965–1967 | Sabadell | ||
1967–1968 | Toronto Falcons | 21 | (3) |
1968 | St. Louis Stars | 2 | (0) |
1968 | Dallas Tornado | 9 | (4) |
1970–1971 | Cartagena | ||
1971–1972 | Sant Andreu | 0 | (0) |
1972–1973 | Atlético Malagueño | ||
Total | 34 | (7) | |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Early and personal life
Kubala was born in Šahy, Czechoslovakia, the eldest of three sons of László Kubala and Violeta Daučíkova.[2] Violeta was the sister of Ferdinand Daučík and the aunt of Yanko Daucik.[2] The family moved to Barcelona, Spain soon after his birth.[2]
Career
Kubala spent time with the Real Betis youth team in 1961, before joining the AC Milan academy in Italy, where he spent two seasons.[2] Upon his return to Barcelona he played with Espanyol, making his professional debut on 3 April 1965 at the age of 16 years 83 days, a league record for the youngest player.[2] After one further appearance,[1] he then played for Sabadell,[2] before moving to North America with his family, where he played for the Toronto Falcons, the St. Louis Stars, and the Dallas Tornado.[3] After returning to Spain to undertake military service, he played for Cartagena, Sant Andreu and Atlético Malagueño, before retiring at the age of 24.[2]
Later life and death
He died on 25 February 2018.[4]
References
- Branko Kubala at BDFutbol
- David Ruiz Marull (22 March 2012). "Branko Kubala, el niño que no pudo luchar contra el mito" (in Spanish). The Tactical Room. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- "Profile". NASL Jerseys. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- Joan Poquí (25 February 2018). "Fallece Branko, el hijo mayor de Ladislao Kubala" (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. Archived from the original on 16 July 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.