Rafael Moreno Aranzadi, aka Pichichi, was a Spanish football player and one of the biggest legends of Athletic Bilbao. He played as a striker for the Basque team between 1911 and 1922, scoring 83 goals in 89 appearances. He spent his entire career at Bilbao before suddenly dying in 1922 from typhus at the age of 29.The fact that the La Liga top goalscorer trophy is named after him – The Pichichi Trophy – perfectly illustrates his significance for Spanish football.However, he’s even more respected in Bilbao.Four years after his death, the club erected a bust in Pichichi’s honour at San Mames Stadium. A year later, a tradition was established.Pichichi ⚽️ San Mames ❤️Now and forever… ahora y siempreAupa #AthleticClub 🔴⚪️🔴#ALLIRON #BeDifferentBeAthletic pic.twitter.com/rme6lNFhOb— Mr Pentland Club (@MrPentlandClub) March 22, 2023 Namely, in 1927, the Hungarian side MTK Budapest faced Athletic in Bilbao, and their captain placed flowers on Pichichi’s bust. Since then, every club that was to play at San Mames for the first time has maintained the tradition, giving honour to the Basques’ icon.In 2013, the “old” San Mames was replaced with the “new” one, and Pichichi’s bust was placed near the players’ tunnel.From absolute losers to the verge of glory: United and Spurs in a titanic, all-or-nothing UEL battleGiven that the upcoming UEFA Europa League final will be played at Bilbao’s stadium, the finalists are supposed to maintain the tradition. However, as Man United had already paid their first visit to San Mames in 1957, they had “done their part.”Tottenham haven’t, as they faced the La Liga side only once, in 2011, in London, so their captain Son Heung-min – or whoever wears the captain armband – will have an additional obligation ahead of the grand final.##NAJAVA_MECA_8925849##
