Josep Maria Fusté facts for kids

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Josep Maria Fusté

Personal information
Full name	Josep Maria Fusté Blanch
Date of birth	(1941-04-15)15 April 1941
Place of birth	Linyola, Spain
Date of death	20 April 2023(2023-04-20) (aged 82)
Place of death	Barcelona, Spain
Height	1.74 m
Playing position	Midfielder
Youth career
	Linyola
1958–1960	Barcelona
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1960–1972	Barcelona	197	(47)
1960–1962	→ Osasuna (loan)	26	(10)
1972–1973	Hércules	27	(2)
Total		250	(59)
National team
1961	Spain B	1	(0)
1964–1969	Spain	8	(3)
Honours Representing  Spain European Nations' Cup Winner 1964 Spain
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Josep Maria Fusté Blanch (born April 15, 1941 – died April 20, 2023) was a Spanish football player. He played as a midfielder and was the captain of FC Barcelona during the 1960s and early 1970s.

In 1964, he helped the Spanish national team win the European Championship. He played alongside famous players like Luis Suárez and Amancio Amaro. Fusté also played for other clubs such as CA Osasuna and Hércules CF. After he stopped playing, he worked in public relations and was involved with FC Barcelona's veteran players.

Playing for Clubs

Josep Maria Fusté was born in Linyola, Catalonia. He first joined FC Barcelona in 1958. Later, he went on loan to CA Osasuna. He made his first appearance in La Liga, Spain's top football league, on September 3, 1961. In that game, he scored a goal from a penalty kick.

Time at FC Barcelona

Fusté played for FC Barcelona's main team for ten seasons. During this time, the club finished second in La Liga four times. However, they never won the league title. Despite this, FC Barcelona had success in different cup competitions.

European and Spanish Cups

In 1962, Fusté played in his first European club final. This was the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup final. FC Barcelona lost to Valencia CF in that match.

In 1966, he played in another Fairs Cup final. This time, FC Barcelona won against Real Zaragoza. In 1968, Fusté was part of the team that beat Real Madrid 1–0 in the final of the Copa del Generalísimo. This win allowed FC Barcelona to play in the European Cup Winners' Cup the next season. They reached the final but lost to Slovan Bratislava.

In 1971, Fusté helped FC Barcelona win another Copa del Generalísimo. In the 1970–71 season, FC Barcelona almost won La Liga, losing by just one point to Valencia CF. The two teams also met in the Copa del Generalísimo final. Fusté came on as a substitute when Valencia CF was winning 2–0. He scored the first of four goals for FC Barcelona, leading them to a 4–3 victory in extra-time.

In 1972, Fusté left FC Barcelona. He had played 197 La Liga games and scored 47 goals for the club. He then joined Hércules CF, which was playing in the Segunda División at the time.

After Retirement

After he stopped playing professional football, Fusté continued to play with the FC Barcelona veterans team. He played with them until 2000. He also coached the veteran team for a while.

Playing for Spain

Fusté also played eight times for the Spanish national team. He scored three goals for his country.

European Championship Win

His first game for Spain was on March 11, 1964. This was in the European Championship quarter-final against the Republic of Ireland. He scored a goal in that game, and Spain won 5–1. He then helped Spain win the entire competition that year.

World Cup Appearance

Fusté also played for Spain in the World Cup in 1966. During the group stage of the tournament, he scored a goal in a match against West Germany. Spain lost that game 2–1.

Death

Josep Maria Fusté passed away in Barcelona on April 20, 2023. He was 82 years old.

Honours

Barcelona

• Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1965–66
  • Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Trophy Play-Off 1971
• Spanish Cup: 1962–63, 1967–68, 1970–71

Spain

• European Championship: 1964