The legend that was never told

    April 30, 1922 — in a football game between Spain and France, a player kicked the ball so forceful from a 30-yard distance that it ended up, not only making a goal, but breaking the net, as well.

    No, he is not the ancestor of America’s David Beckham nor the great grandfather of Portugal’s Christiano Ronaldo. He is not even related with today’s world top football player Lionel Messi. Nevertheless, he is a sports legend that the Pearl of the Orient should take pride of — Paulino “The Netbreaker” Alcantara.

Of Filipino roots

     Although born of mixed ancestry, a Spanish father and a Filipino mother, Paulino Alcantara resembled the physique of a native Filipino. Unlike any other Filipino-Spanish athletes nowadays (who look more Spanish than Filipino), he had a medium-built body — a figure unsuited for an athlete as many believed. However, this clearly did not hinder him from paving his way to the world of football.

     Paulino first started playing football in Iloilo at an early age. The province, being one of the few places in the country where Football is more popular than Basketball or Boxing, greatly contributed in carving a Football hero in him.

     He might not have known it then. But when his father decided to bring him back to Spain when he was still 14 years old, Paulino has just taken a step closer to the greater feats that await him.

Legend in the making

     It was in Barcelona where Paulino’s football career started to take off. Paulino, who played football since his early years in Iloilo, initially joined a football club formed by his classmates. And no sooner, due to his astonishing skills, he caught the attention of Joan Gamper, the man behind Barcelona Football Club (Barca). Gamper, seeing a great potential in him, signed up the aspiring player for the club. This definitely made Paulino the first Asian to play for a European sporting club.

     At a tender age of 15, Paulino became the youngest player ever to play for Barça. Moreover, in his debut game, Paulino garnered the first three of the nine goals that Barça made against Catala Sporting Club. With such record, he was also hailed as the youngest player in Barca’s history to score in a tournament match.

     Throughout his career, Paulino showcased powerful kicks that left everyone who watched him in awe. In fact, he was so good that the whole crowd went crazy over his signature kick in a match against France. He kicked the ball so hard that it was able to break the net. Since then, every child in Spain tried to imitate his signature kick.

    “History talaga ang nagawa ni Alcantara sa Football. Kahit hindi s’ya ganun kakilala ng iba, para sa akin na football player, eh napakalaki ng nagawa n’ya. Pinatunayan n’ya kasi na mali ang iniisip ng iba na wala pang napapatunayan ang ating bansa pagdating sa Football,” shared Alona Mae Enconado, member of the UB Women’s Football Club.

The rise of a star

     Granting his father’s wish, Paulino returned to the Philippines at the age of 21 to continue his studies in medicine. This however did not stop Paulino from playing. Despite of his academic career, he still managed to join the Bohemian Sporting Club in Manila and was even selected to play for the Philippine Football team.

     The team represented the country in the Far Eastern Championship Games (later known as Southeast Asian Games) in Tokyo. In the tournament, Paulino proved his prowess as he led the Phlippines to crush Japan in a score of 15–2 stint. Up to date, that might still is considered as the greatest performance the Philippine National Football team had in an international tournament.

     Meanwhile, in Barcelona, his absence was heavily felt by his former club. Barca struggled and found it impossible to win any major competition without Paulino. To prevent their breakdown, they begged for Paulino’s return. Paulino, owing the club so much of what he became, decided to go back and help them. In no time, Paulino was back in Barca, and with his aid, the club was able to win five Spanish championships and 10 Catalan titles. His individual contribution to the club made him the highest goal-scorer in Barca’s history, scoring 357 goals in a total of 357 games.

     And the rest, as we say, is history.

Farewell to Football

     The “Netbreaker” took his shoes off on July 5, 1927 at the young age of 31, to pursue his other endeavor — medicine. Paulino became a full-time doctor. But he did not give up Football that much easily. He became the club director of Barca for three years and had a three-game stint as coach for the Spanish National Football team in the 1950s. He  later died in Barcelona on February 13, 1964 at the age of 67.

Why reach this far?

     This might perturb you. His name sounds like a hush. And his story might be completely new to your eardrums — a legend not celebrated, a life not feasted by the town. But lend us an ear when we say “Paulino Alcantara is a respected figure in international Football community”.

     True enough, most Filipinos might not know him or not even be interested to know his story, but readers holding this piece could spell a difference.

     Now, live and tell the tale about our country’s own Football player; the one who immortalized such incredible kick; the one who sent a ball ripping its way through the back of the net. He is the only one Paulino “The Netbreaker” Alcantara, Barca’s all-time leading scorer, a doctor, and most importantly, a trueblue Filipino.


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