In summer 1948, both Pahiño and Miguel Muñoz signed for Real Madrid.[1] He continued to find the net at a regular rate for his new club, winning his second Pichichi at the end of 1951–52. However, he lost his importance in the squad following the arrival of Alfredo Di Stéfano, who later admitted his frustration of never having played alongside him; across all competitions, he scored 124 goals in 143 matches,[2] ranking 13th in the all-time scoring list at the time of his death.[3]
Over a fortnight in February 1956, Pahiño acted as player-coach for Deportivo.[5] The team conceded 12 goals in three games, which included losses against FC Barcelona (0–7, home)[6] and Deportivo Alavés (2–4).[7]
International career
Pahiño earned three caps for Spain, over seven years. He scored on his debut on 20 June 1948, against Switzerland,[8] adding a brace in his final appearance, a 2–2 draw with the Republic of Ireland in another friendly.[9]
Style of play
An ambidextrous player that excelled in the physical aspects of the game, Pahiño possessed a powerful shot with either feet as well as a tremendous heading ability.[2] In 1945, during a promotion play-offs clash against Granada, he played more than 40 minutes with a broken fibula after a challenge by José Millán, in an eventual 4–1 away win.[1]
Personal life
Pahiño received his nickname after a variation of his father's second surname, Paíño. He was an avid reader of the works of Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Leo Tolstoy.[10]
A half-time incident during the international with Switzerland, in which he sarcastically grinned as the team was being harangued by General Gómez Zamalloa, who was also vocal to the National Sports Delegation, may have led to the small number of appearances for his country.[10][11] He died in the capital Madrid on 12 June 2012, aged 89.[12]
Career statistics
Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[13][14][15]