Former Spain and Barcelona defender Ferran Olivella dies aged 86
Ferran Olivella, who led Spain to European Championship success in 1964 and spent 13 years with Barcelona, dies aged 86
Ferran Olivella, the captain of the Spanish team that won the European Championship in 1964, has died at the age of 86.
The defender spent 13 years with Barcelona, winning the LaLiga title in 1959 and 1960. He later served as club director.
The Spanish Football Federation tweeted: ‘Ferran Olivella Pons, captain of the national team that won the European Cup I in 1964, has passed away.
“From @RFEF, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to your family and friends. Rest in peace.’
Barcelona posted: ‘FC Barcelona wishes to express its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ferran Olivella, a former Club player between 1956 and 1969. Rest in peace.’
Ferran Olivella, the former Barcelona player and club director who led Spain to European Championship success in 1964, has died aged 86.
Olivella captained the Spanish team that won the European Nations Cup in 1964
A statement from Real Madrid said: “Real Madrid CF, the President and the Board of Directors sincerely regret the passing of Ferran Olivella, a legendary player of FC Barcelona and Spanish football.
Real Madrid would like to express its condolences and affection to his family, his teammates, his clubs and all his loved ones.
Born in Barcelona, he signed for the club’s youth team at the age of 17 and after making his first few senior appearances for second division side Espana Industrial, was integrated into the Nou Camp first team.
In total, Olivella made 509 competitive appearances for the club, winning back-to-back league titles in 1959 and 1960.
He played a part in Barcelona’s three victories in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the forerunner of the UEFA Cup and now the Europa League.
Olivella made 18 appearances for Spain and captained the side that beat the Soviet Union 2–1 at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid to win the second edition of the then European Nations Cup.
He was also selected in Spain’s World Cup squad for England’s 1966 tournament, but did not feature as they left after the group stage.
Olivella was club director of Barcelona between 1989 and 1993 under president Jose Luis Nunez.
His death came on the same day Barcelona clinched their first league title since 2019 with a 4-2 win over rivals Espanyol.
