Telmo Zarra

Template:Short description Template:Family name hatnote Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Pedro Telmo Zarraonandía Montoya (20 January 1921 – 23 February 2006), known as Telmo Zarra (, ), was a Spanish football forward. He spent the majority of his career at Athletic Bilbao, from 1940 to 1955, for whom he remains the top scorer in competitive matches with 335 goals.

Zarra signed for Athletic after playing one season for Erandio. He became a prolific goalscorer in his 15 seasons at the club, winning the Pichichi Trophy as the highest scorer in La Liga on six occasions. During his career, Zarra scored a total of 251 league goals, a Spanish record that lasted nearly six decades before being broken by Lionel Messi. His 81 goals in the Copa del Rey remain a record.

Despite his goalscoring records, he only played for Spain 20 times. Even so, he still managed to score 20 goals, including four in one match as Spain beat Switzerland 6–3 on 18 February 1951. He also scored his country's winning goal against England in the 1950 World Cup finals as Spain reached the final four—their best performance in the competition until winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup 60 years later.

After leaving Athletic in 1955, he played for one year with SD Indautxu and another with Barakaldo CF before retiring. He died of a heart attack on 23 February 2006, aged 85. The Zarra Trophy for the highest-scoring Spaniard in La Liga is awarded in his memory.

Early life

Zarra was born on 20 January 1921 at the Asúa train station in Erandio, Biscay. He was the son of Telmo Zarraonandía, an engineer and head of Asúa station, and Tomasa Montoya. Zarra was the seventh of ten children, five of them boys. The family was of Romani descent.

When he was young, Zarra used to play football with his neighbours. While other children had homemade or improvised balls, Zarra had access to a real ball, as two of his brothers played football in La Liga with Arenas de Getxo: Tomás, a goalkeeper and the oldest sibling, and Domingo, who died during the Spanish Civil War.

His father did not like Zarra playing football, because "it was enough with two brothers in the practice of this game." But Zarra liked the sport and began playing for several local teams, including Asia and Pitoberese. At that time, he was nicknamed "Telmito the fearful", as he would play cautiously, being ashamed and self-conscious of his skill.

Career

Early career

Zarra signed his first professional contract with SD Erandio Club of the Second Division, and was incorporated into team during the 1937–38 season. Later he was recruited to a team from Biscay to play a friendly match against a team assembled from Guipuzcoa, during which Zarra scored seven goals in a 9–0 win.

Around this time, Athletic Bilbao was looking for players to rebuild the team, which had been disbanded years before in the chaos caused by the Civil War. The team began recruiting young, promising players from Erandio for their team for the 1940–41 season.

Professional stage and early successes

Zarra debuted with Athletic Club on 29 September 1940, in a league match against Valencia CF. The game ended in a 2–2 draw, with Zarraonandía scoring both goals for his team (including his first league goal, scored 17 minutes into the game).

During the 1941–42 season Zarra temporarily left Athletic Bilbao to join the army. He was dispatched to Ceuta, and played some friendly matches with the team there. Upon his return to Bilbao, Zarra experienced one of the biggest disappointments of his career while playing in the final of the Copa del Rey against Barcelona. They had reached the end of normal time and neither team had managed to score. During extra time, Zarra had an opportunity to score against rival goalkeeper Miró, but he missed the shot; consequently, Barça won the match and Cup.

The 1942–43 campaign was one of the most important for both Zarra and Athletic Bilbao. Athletic reached the Copa del Rey final after having defeated Atlético Madrid and FC Valencia. There they met Real Madrid and this time, Zarra was able to redeem himself by scoring the only goal in the final, winning the year's cup in addition to the league title.

Zarra's first serious injury occurred in the 1943–44 season in a match against Barcelona. He broke his clavicle and was unable to play for a while. Once recovered, Zarra was able to return to the pitch and celebrate with a Copa del Rey title, helping Athletic record a 2–0 win over Valencia.

In the 1944–45 season, with Athletic again facing Valencia in the Copa del Rey final, four minutes from time a Valencia player fell to the ground. Zarra made a move to trample the fallen player, as a joke, and he was sent off by the referee. This expulsion was the first and only he suffered throughout his career. Despite this, Athletic took the title that year thanks to a goal by Rafael Iriondo that made the score 3–2.

Zarra experienced the best moments of his career in the 1944–45 season with his first Pichichi Trophy, marking 20 goals scored in 26 matches. He would go on to win this award on five other occasions (1946, 1947, 1950, 1951 and 1953).

1945–1953

On 11 March 1945, Zarra was selected by the Spanish coach Jacinto Quincoces to join the Spanish national team for a friendly match against Portugal in Lisbon. On 6 May of that year he played against Portugal again, and scored two of the four goals that won the match.

On 28 May 1950, Zarra again played in another Copa del Rey final, this time against Real Valladolid after Valencia CF was disbanded. During the final, he scored four of the goals that won the game for his team. He opened the scoring at 14 minutes, but by end of regulation time the match was drawn. During extra time, Zarra scored a hat trick as Athletic won the cup. With those four against Valladolid, Zarra holds the record for highest number of goals scored in a Cup final.

Once qualified, the Spanish team played matches against the United States, Chile, and England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He scored one of the goals in a 2–0 win over Chile in the second match. Zarra referred to the third game, against England, as "the game of the century." Zarra's goal past the English goalkeeper Bert Williams won the match and sent Spain through at the expense of England. This goal, perhaps the most famous scored by Zarra, gave the victory to the Spanish team in their first World Cup semi-finals.

In the 1950–51 season Zarra was able to score 38 goals in 30 league games, a Spanish record that stood until the 2010–11 season. This record was also achieved by the Mexican Hugo Sánchez, although he scored his 38 goals over the course of 38 matches.

During the 1951–52 season Zarra suffered his most serious injury of his career, on 25 November 1951 in a game against Atlético Madrid, when the opposing goalkeeper fell on Zarra's leg. An operation was required for full recovery, which kept him out for the rest of the season. On his return in the 1952–53 season, he played 29 games and scored on 25 occasions, giving a scoring average of 0.86 from both seasons.

Last years and retirement

On 29 April 1954, Zarra received a tribute and benefit match in Madrid (played between two regional selections) in recognition of his long career in Spanish football. This event was attended by several VIPs from the world of football, including Alfredo Di Stéfano, Antonio Puchades, Estanislao Basora, Piru Gaínza, Eduardo Manchon, and Cesar Lesmes.

Zarra was nearing the end of this career and watched as young, promising Athletic players took over his role on the team, including a young player named Eneko Arieta, who would become his successor.

Zarra ended his Athletic career at the end of the 1954–55 season. From then on he devoted himself to playing for several teams in the Second Division until his official retirement from the game in 1957; however, he continued playing football with the veteran players of Biscay, donating the money collected from these games to charities.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Erandio	1939–40	Segunda División	20	12	0	0	20	12
Athletic Bilbao	1940–41	Primera División	8	5	0	0	8	5
	1941–42	Primera División	21	17	8	11	29	28
	1942–43	Primera División	17	16	8	8	25	24
	1943–44	Primera División	21	12	10	10	31	22
	1944–45	Primera División	26	20	9	14	35	34
	1945–46	Primera División	18	24	2	0	20	24
	1946–47	Primera División	24	33	6	3	30	36
	1947–48	Primera División	16	9	0	0	16	9
	1948–49	Primera División	26	22	10	9	36	31
	1949–50	Primera División	26	24	7	13	33	37
	1950–51	Primera División	30	38	6	8	38	49
	1951–52	Primera División	5	3	0	0	5	3
	1952–53	Primera División	29	24	7	5	36	29
	1953–54	Primera División	5	2	1	0	6	2
	1954–55	Primera División	6	2	0	0	6	2
	Total		278	251	74	81	354	335
Indautxu	1955–56	Segunda División	27	17	0	0	27	17
Barakaldo	1956–57	Segunda División	12	2	0	0	12	2
Career total			337	282	74	81	411	363

International

Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zarra goal.

List of international goals scored by Telmo Zarra

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	6 May 1945	Riazor, Spain	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Portugal	flag alias = Flag of Portugal.svg	flag alias-1248 = PortugueseFlag1248.svg	flag alias-1385 = PortugueseFlag1385.svg	flag alias-1495 = Flag Portugal (1495).svg	flag alias-1578 = Flag Portugal (1578).svg	flag alias-1640 = Flag Portugal (1640).svg	flag alias-1707 = Flag Portugal (1707).svg	flag alias-1750 = Flag of Portugal (1750).svg	flag alias-1816 = Flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves.svg	flag alias-1830 = Flag Portugal (1830).svg	flag alias-civil = Flag Portugal sea (1830).svg	flag alias-air force=Portugal Air force fin flash.svg	flag alias-army = Military flag of Portugal.svg	link alias-air force = Portuguese Air Force	link alias-army = Portuguese Army	link alias-naval = Portuguese Navy	flag alias-navy=Naval Jack of Portugal.svg	link alias-navy = Portuguese Navy	flag alias-marines=Naval Jack of Portugal.svg	link alias-marines=Portuguese Marine Corps	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }} || align="center"|1–1 || rowspan="2" align="center"|4–2 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
2				2–1
3	2 March 1947	Dalymount Park, Dublin	{{safesubst: Template:Yesno	alias = Republic of Ireland	shortname alias = Ireland	flag alias = Flag of Ireland.svg	link alias-naval = Irish Naval Service	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Irish Air Corps.svg	link alias-air force = Irish Air Corps	flag alias-army = Flag of the Irish Defence Forces.svg	link alias-army = Irish Army	link alias-navy = Irish Naval Service	link alias-football = Republic of Ireland national football team	name alias-football = Republic of Ireland	link alias-futsal = Republic of Ireland national football team	name alias-futsal = Republic of Ireland	link alias-beachsoccer = Republic of Ireland national football team	name alias-beachsoccer = Republic of Ireland	flag alias-rugby union = Flag placeholder.svg	border-rugby union =	flag alias-cricket = Flag placeholder.svg	border-cricket =	link alias-netball = Republic of Ireland national netball team	name alias-netball = Republic of Ireland	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }} || align="center"|1–2 || rowspan="2" align="center"|2–3 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
4				2–2
5	20 March 1949	Unknown, Jamor, Oeiras, Portugal	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Portugal	flag alias = Flag of Portugal.svg	flag alias-1248 = PortugueseFlag1248.svg	flag alias-1385 = PortugueseFlag1385.svg	flag alias-1495 = Flag Portugal (1495).svg	flag alias-1578 = Flag Portugal (1578).svg	flag alias-1640 = Flag Portugal (1640).svg	flag alias-1707 = Flag Portugal (1707).svg	flag alias-1750 = Flag of Portugal (1750).svg	flag alias-1816 = Flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves.svg	flag alias-1830 = Flag Portugal (1830).svg	flag alias-civil = Flag Portugal sea (1830).svg	flag alias-air force=Portugal Air force fin flash.svg	flag alias-army = Military flag of Portugal.svg	link alias-air force = Portuguese Air Force	link alias-army = Portuguese Army	link alias-naval = Portuguese Navy	flag alias-navy=Naval Jack of Portugal.svg	link alias-navy = Portuguese Navy	flag alias-marines=Naval Jack of Portugal.svg	link alias-marines=Portuguese Marine Corps	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || Friendly
6	12 June 1949	Dalymount Park, Dublin	{{safesubst: Template:Yesno	alias = Republic of Ireland	shortname alias = Ireland	flag alias = Flag of Ireland.svg	link alias-naval = Irish Naval Service	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Irish Air Corps.svg	link alias-air force = Irish Air Corps	flag alias-army = Flag of the Irish Defence Forces.svg	link alias-army = Irish Army	link alias-navy = Irish Naval Service	link alias-football = Republic of Ireland national football team	name alias-football = Republic of Ireland	link alias-futsal = Republic of Ireland national football team	name alias-futsal = Republic of Ireland	link alias-beachsoccer = Republic of Ireland national football team	name alias-beachsoccer = Republic of Ireland	flag alias-rugby union = Flag placeholder.svg	border-rugby union =	flag alias-cricket = Flag placeholder.svg	border-cricket =	link alias-netball = Republic of Ireland national netball team	name alias-netball = Republic of Ireland	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }} || align="center"|1–1 || rowspan="2" align="center"|4–1 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
7				3–1
8	2 April 1950	Nuevo Estadio Chamartín, Madrid, Spain	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Portugal	flag alias = Flag of Portugal.svg	flag alias-1248 = PortugueseFlag1248.svg	flag alias-1385 = PortugueseFlag1385.svg	flag alias-1495 = Flag Portugal (1495).svg	flag alias-1578 = Flag Portugal (1578).svg	flag alias-1640 = Flag Portugal (1640).svg	flag alias-1707 = Flag Portugal (1707).svg	flag alias-1750 = Flag of Portugal (1750).svg	flag alias-1816 = Flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves.svg	flag alias-1830 = Flag Portugal (1830).svg	flag alias-civil = Flag Portugal sea (1830).svg	flag alias-air force=Portugal Air force fin flash.svg	flag alias-army = Military flag of Portugal.svg	link alias-air force = Portuguese Air Force	link alias-army = Portuguese Army	link alias-naval = Portuguese Navy	flag alias-navy=Naval Jack of Portugal.svg	link alias-navy = Portuguese Navy	flag alias-marines=Naval Jack of Portugal.svg	link alias-marines=Portuguese Marine Corps	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" align="center"|5–1 || rowspan="2"|1950 FIFA World Cup qualification
9				3–1
10	9 April 1950	Unknown, Jamor, Oeiras, Portugal	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Portugal	flag alias = Flag of Portugal.svg	flag alias-1248 = PortugueseFlag1248.svg	flag alias-1385 = PortugueseFlag1385.svg	flag alias-1495 = Flag Portugal (1495).svg	flag alias-1578 = Flag Portugal (1578).svg	flag alias-1640 = Flag Portugal (1640).svg	flag alias-1707 = Flag Portugal (1707).svg	flag alias-1750 = Flag of Portugal (1750).svg	flag alias-1816 = Flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves.svg	flag alias-1830 = Flag Portugal (1830).svg	flag alias-civil = Flag Portugal sea (1830).svg	flag alias-air force=Portugal Air force fin flash.svg	flag alias-army = Military flag of Portugal.svg	link alias-air force = Portuguese Air Force	link alias-army = Portuguese Army	link alias-naval = Portuguese Navy	flag alias-navy=Naval Jack of Portugal.svg	link alias-navy = Portuguese Navy	flag alias-marines=Naval Jack of Portugal.svg	link alias-marines=Portuguese Marine Corps	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–2 || 1950 FIFA World Cup qualification
11	25 June 1950	Estádio Vila Capanema, Curitiba, Brazil	{{safesubst: Template:Yesno	alias = United States	flag alias = Flag of the United States.svg	flag alias-1776 = Flag of the United States (1776–1777).svg	flag alias-1777 = Flag of the United States (1777–1795).svg	flag alias-1777-Ross = Betsy Ross flag.svg	flag alias-1795 = Flag of the United States (1795-1818).svg	flag alias-1795FM = Flag of the United States (1795–1818).svg	flag alias-1818 = Flag of the United States (1818-1819).svg	flag alias-1819 = Flag of the United States (1819-1820).svg	flag alias-1820 = Flag of the United States (1820-1822).svg	flag alias-1822 = Flag of the United States (1822–1836).svg	flag alias-1836 = Flag of the United States (1836-1837).svg	flag alias-1837 = Flag of the United States (1837-1845).svg	flag alias-1845 = Flag of the United States (1845-1846).svg	flag alias-1846 = Flag of the United States (1846-1847).svg	flag alias-1847 = Flag of the United States (1847-1848).svg	flag alias-1848 = Flag of the United States (1848-1851).svg	flag alias-1851 = Flag of the United States (1851-1858).svg	flag alias-1858 = Flag of the United States (1858-1859).svg	flag alias-1859 = Flag of the United States (1859-1861).svg	flag alias-1861 = Flag of the United States (1861-1863).svg	flag alias-1863 = Flag of the United States (1863-1865).svg	flag alias-1865 = Flag of the United States (1865-1867).svg	flag alias-1867 = Flag of the United States (1867-1877).svg	flag alias-1877 = Flag of the United States (1877-1890).svg	flag alias-1890 = Flag of the United States (1890-1891).svg	flag alias-1891 = Flag of the United States (1891-1896).svg	flag alias-1896 = Flag of the United States (1896-1908).svg	flag alias-1908 = Flag of the United States (1908-1912).svg	flag alias-1912 = Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg	flag alias-1959 = Flag of the United States (1959–1960).svg	flag alias-1960 = Flag of the United States (Web Colors).svg	flag alias-pantone = Flag of the United States (Pantone).svg	flag alias-yacht = United States yacht flag.svg	flag alias-air force = Flag of the United States Air Force.svg	flag alias-coast guard-1799 = Ensign of the United States Revenue-Marine (1799).png	flag alias-coast guard-1815 = Ensign of the United States Revenue-Marine (1815).png	flag alias-coast guard-1836 = Ensign of the United States Revenue-Marine (1836).png	flag alias-coast guard-1841 = Ensign of the United States Revenue-Marine (1841).png	flag alias-coast guard-1867 = Ensign of the United States Revenue-Marine (1867).png	flag alias-coast guard-1868 = Ensign of the United States Revenue-Marine (1868).png	flag alias-coast guard-1915 = Ensign of the United States Coast Guard (1915-1953).png	flag alias-coast guard-1953 = Ensign of the United States Coast Guard.svg	flag alias-coast guard = Flag of the United States Coast Guard.svg	link alias-coast guard = United States Coast Guard	flag alias-army = Flag of the United States Army.svg	link alias-naval = United States Navy	flag alias-navy-1864 = Flag of the United States Navy (1864-1959).svg	flag alias-navy = Flag of the United States Navy (official).svg	link alias-navy = United States Navy	link alias-marines = United States Marine Corps	flag alias-marines-1914 = Flag of the United States Marine Corps (1914-1939).png	flag alias-marines = Flag of the United States Marine Corps.svg	link alias-merchant marine = United States Merchant Marine	flag alias-merchant marine = Flag of the United States Merchant Marine Higher Resolution.jpg	flag alias-space force = Flag of the United States Space Force.svg	link alias-military = United States Armed Forces	link alias-football = United States men's national soccer team	link alias-Australian rules football = United States men's national Australian rules football team	flag alias-23px = Flag of the United States (23px).png	empty = USA Selects	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }} || align="center"|3–1 || align="center"|3–1 || 1950 FIFA World Cup group stage
12	29 June 1950	Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Chile	flag alias = Flag of Chile.svg	flag alias-mapuche = Ancient mapuche flag.svg	flag alias-lautaro = Lautaro flag.svg	flag alias-spain = Flag of Cross of Burgundy.svg	flag alias-spain1 = Flag of Spain (1785–1873, 1875–1931).svg	flag alias-1812 = Flag of Chile (1812-1814).svg	flag alias-1812a = Flag of Chile (1812-1814, alternative).svg	flag alias-andes = Bandera de la Provincia de Mendoza.svg	flag alias-1817 = Flag of Chile of the transition (1817).svg	flag alias-1817_proposal = Flag of Chile (1817-1818, 2nd).svg	flag alias-1818 = Flag of Chile (1818).svg	flag alias-1818a = Flag of Chile (1818-1854).svg	flag alias-1819 = State Ensign of Chile (1819-1834).svg	flag alias-expedition = Flag of the Liberating Expedition of Peru.svg	flag alias-1826 = Flag of Chile (Civil Use, 1826-1854).svg	flag alias-ap = Flag of the Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia.svg	flag alias-easter1 = Easter Island flag 1876 to 1888.svg	flag alias-easter = Flag of Rapa Nui, Chile.svg	flag alias-president = Bandera del presidente de Chile.svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Jack of Chile.svg	link alias-naval = Chilean Navy	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Chilean Air Force.svg	link alias-air force =Chilean Air Force	flag alias-army = Flag of the Chilean Army.svg	link alias-army = Chilean Army	flag alias-navy = Flag of Chile.svg	link alias-navy = Chilean Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 1950 FIFA World Cup group stage
13	2 July 1950	Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = England	flag alias = Flag of England.svg	flag alias-naval = English White Ensign 1620.svg	link alias-naval = Royal Navy	flag alias-navy = English White Ensign 1620.svg	link alias-navy = Royal Navy	link alias-cricket = England cricket team	empty = England Saxons	size =	name =	variant =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football }} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || 1950 FIFA World Cup group stage
14	16 July 1950	Pacaembu, São Paulo, Brazil	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Sweden	flag alias = Flag of Sweden.svg	flag alias-army = Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg	flag alias-air force =Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg	flag alias-1818 = Swedish and Norwegian merchant flag 1818-1844.svg	flag alias-1844 = Swedish civil ensign (1844–1905).svg	flag alias-1905 = Flag of Sweden (pre-1906).svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg	flag alias-naval-1844 = Naval Ensign of Sweden (1844-1905).svg	flag alias-naval-1815 = Ensign of Sweden and Norway (1815–1844).svg	link alias-army = Swedish Army	link alias-air force = Swedish Air Force	link alias-naval = Swedish Navy	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg	link alias-navy = Swedish Navy	link alias-football = Sweden men's national football team	border-army =	border-air force =	border-naval =	border-navy =	border-naval-1815 =	border-naval-1844 =	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }} || align="center"|1–3 || align="center"|1–3 || 1950 FIFA World Cup final stage
15	18 February 1951	Nuevo Estadio Chamartín, Madrid, Spain	Template:Country data SWI	1–0	6–3	Friendly
16				2–0
17				4–2
18				5–2
19	10 June 1951	Heysel Stadium, Brussels, Belgium	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Belgium	flag alias = Flag of Belgium (civil).svg	flag alias-government = Government Ensign of Belgium.svg	flag alias-state = Flag of Belgium.svg	flag alias-1830 = Flag of Belgium (1830).svg	flag alias-1858 = Royal ensign of Belgium (1858).svg	flag alias-army = Flag of the Belgian Land Component.svg	link alias-army = Belgian Land Component	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Belgium.svg	link alias-naval = Belgian Navy	flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of Belgium.svg	link alias-air force = Belgian Air Component	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Belgium.svg	link alias-navy = Belgian Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }} || align="center"|2–3 || rowspan="2" align="center"|3–3 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
20				3–3

Honours

Athletic Bilbao

• La Liga: 1942–43
• Copa del Rey: 1943, 1944, 1944–45, 1949–50, 1955
• Copa Eva Duarte: 1950

Individual

• Pichichi Trophy: 1944–45, 1945–46, 1946–47, 1949–50, 1950–51, 1952–53
• Golden Pichichi Trophy: 2003

Decorations

• Royal Order of Sports Merit
• Shiny gold badge of Málaga CF
• Silver botafumeiro of Deportivo de La Coruña

Posthumous dedications

• Zarra Trophy
• Memorial bust at Lezama training centre

Records

• Spanish top scorer in the history of La Liga (251)
• Spanish player with the most goals in a single La Liga season (38)
• Spanish player with the most top scorer awards in La Liga history (6)
• Spanish player with the most hat tricks in La Liga history (23)
• Top scorer in the history of Copa del Rey (81 goals)
• Top scorer in the history of Athletic Bilbao (335 goals)
• Most goals in a Copa del Rey Final (4 – 1950)
• Top scorer in El Viejo Clásico vs Real Madrid (22)
• Top scorer in the Basque derby vs Real Sociedad (14)

External links

• Template:Athletic Bilbao profile
• Template:BDFutbol
• Template:NFT player