FCBARCELONA.CAT

03.09.2008 21:02

A major player in the club’s history

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Joan Segarra Iracheta was a fine, all-round defender who played for Barça from 1949 to 1964. In those 15 years he made a major impression with his fair play and gentlemanly approach to the game.

This attitude brought him the admiration and respect of team-mates and opponents alike. He was also a technically superb player with an unbeatable vision of the game who supplied endless accurate crosses.

Defender who scored goals

He liked playing in the midfield and at left-back even though he was right-footed. He also had a fabulous shot and scored 30 goals, some of which proved to be decisive. As his team-mates have noted, it was his physique which enabled him to impose his presence on the pitch.

Missed the final in Berne

Coming from Vilafranca del Penedès – he had previously played for Buenos Aires, Santsenc and Sant Pol – he was the legendary captain of the ‘Five Cups’ Barça and a key figure in the side run by Helenio Herrera. During the 15 seasons he played for the club from 1949 to 1964 he was a regular first team player, though an eye injury led to him missing out on the unfortunate European Cup final in Berne in 1961.

He lies fifth in the ranking for most games played for the club (a total of 528) and also played for Spain 26 times.

Linked to the club

After he retired, Joan Segarra continued to be linked to Barça as a youth team coach and in the 1979-80 season as assistant to Helenio Herrera. He was also the manager of Barça Atlètic.