BARCELONA legend Josep Maria Fuste has died aged 82, the club have confirmed.
Fuste represented the Catalan side between 1958 and 1972 – including his time in their academy – appearing over 400 times and captaining his boyhood side.
Following the sad news, Barca took to Twitter to pay tribute to their legendary former skipper.
They wrote: “Josep Maria Fuste, one of Barca’s players in the 1960s (1962-72), a stage in which he played 406 games and scored 117 goals, dies.
“Barcelona fans will never forget you. Rest in peace.”
During his 12 years at Barcelona he won three Copa del Rey winners’ medals.
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He became known as “the Linyola hare” – a reference to his birthplace and his lightning speed.
After loan spells at Osasuna, Fuste stepped into a starring role at Barca in the 1960s.
The LaLiga giants’ website describes him as having been a “great supporter of improvisational and spectacular football”.
They also gushed over his shooting and crossing ability, as well as his pace and “explosive” physique.
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Fuste represented Spain at Euro 1964 and the 1966 World Cup, helping them to victory in the former before scoring against West Germany in the latter.
After leaving Barcelona in 1972 he played one season at Hercules before hanging up his boots.
Following his playing retirement he took on a new role as head of Barcelona’s ex-players organisation.
In 2010 he became a consultant to the board, although his role was scaled back following the pandemic.
Fuste, like most Cules, was an enormous fan of Lionel Messi.
In 2019 he told Radio Marca: “I’ve not seen anyone better than Messi.
“I’ve always thought that Pele and [Alfredo] Di Stefano set the benchmark, but I think Messi is ahead of those two.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
