Barcelona legend Josep Maria Fuste dies aged 82 as the club pays tribute to the former star who scored 117 goals for his youth side – and rivals Real Madrid also sent their condolences
- Barcelona pays tribute to Josep Maria Fuste who passed away at the age of 82
- The former midfielder and captain has played more than 400 games for his youth club
- Fuste was also part of the winning squad of the 1964 European Championship in Spain
Barcelona legend and former captain Josep Maria Fuste has passed away, aged 82, the club has confirmed.
Fuste played for Barca from the age of 12, progressed through the club’s academy and made 406 appearances for the club between 1960 and 1972, scoring 117 goals.
The Spanish giants released the sad news on their Twitter account, paying tribute to their former midfielder.
Josep Maria Fuste, who made 406 appearances and scored 117 goals while playing for Barça from 1962 to 1972, has passed away.
Barca fans everywhere will always remember you. Rest in peace.’
Barcelona legend Josep Maria Fuste has passed away at the age of 82, the club announced
The club paid tribute to the Barcelona star with a statement on their Twitter account
During his time with the Catalans, Fuste won three Copa del Rey medals and the Fairs Cup in 1966. Fuste would also become captain of his boyhood club before dropping the curtain on his playing career at Hercules.
Barcelona’s El Clásico rivals Real Madrid also paid tribute to the creative midfielder by issuing a statement offering their condolences for his passing.
Quoting: “Real Madrid CF, the President and the Board of Directors deeply regret the death of Josep Maria Fusté, a legend of FC Barcelona and of Spanish football, who was part of the Spanish team that won the Euro Cup in 1964.
Real Madrid would like to express its condolences and affection to all his family members, his colleagues, his clubs and all his loved ones.
Josep Maria Fuste passed away at the age of 82. Rest in peace.’
Real Madrid also took to Twitter to pay tribute to the former Spain international
Since 2010, Fuste has been a (legal) advisor to Barcelona on their board of directors
Fuste also made eight appearances for the Spanish national team and was part of the squad that triumphed at the 1964 European Championships.
He also represented Spain at the 1966 World Cup, scoring in their group stage defeat to Germany – one of three goals he scored for his country.
Fuste was known as ‘the linyola hare’ in his playing days, a reference to his hometown and speed as a player. After his retirement, Fuste took on a new role as head of Barcelona’s ex-players’ organisation.
In 2010, he became an advisor and advisor on the club’s board, but his work was reduced due to the aftermath of the global pandemic.