Rafael Lesmes
Spanish footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rafael Lesmes Bobed (9 November 1926 – 8 October 2012) was a Spanish footballer who played as a defender.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rafael Lesmes Bobed | ||
| Date of birth | 9 November 1926 | ||
| Place of birth | Ceuta, Spain | ||
| Date of death | 8 October 2012 (aged 85) | ||
| Place of death | Valladolid, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| África Ceutí | |||
| 1940–1944 | Ibarrola | ||
| 1944–1945 | Betis Jadú | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1945–1949 | Atlético Tetuán | ||
| 1949–1952 | Valladolid | 78 | (1) |
| 1950 | → Atlético Madrid (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 1952–1960 | Real Madrid | 163 | (0) |
| 1960–1962 | Valladolid | 27 | (0) |
| Total | 268 | (1) | |
| International career | |||
| 1955–1958 | Spain | 2 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Club career
Lesmes was born in Ceuta. Over 12 La Liga seasons, he played for Real Valladolid (two spells) and Real Madrid,[1] appearing in 263 games in the competition. He began his career with local Atlético Tetuán, and retired in 1962 at the age of 35.[2]
With Real Madrid, Lesmes was part of the team that won five consecutive European Cups.[3][4][5] Subsequently, he worked with the club as a scout.[6]
International career
Lesmes was selected for Spain's 1950 FIFA World Cup squad as an uncapped member.[7] He would have to wait nearly five years to make his debut, however, appearing in a 2–1 friendly loss to France on 17 March 1955, in Madrid.
Lesmes' second and last international was a 6–2 win against Northern Ireland on 15 October 1958, in another exhibition game.[8][4]
Personal life and death
Lesmes' older brother, Francisco, was also a footballer and a defender. Often referred to as Lesmes I as he shared teams with his sibling for four seasons, he spent his entire professional career with Valladolid, also being a Spanish international.[9]
Rafael died in Valladolid on 8 October 2012, one month shy of his 86th birthday.[10]