Rafael Iriondo 1918 – 2016

Biography

Rafael Iriondo was born on October 24, 1918, in Guernica, a town steeped in history in the Basque region of Spain. He devoted much of his life to football, working both as a player and manager throughout his career. His connection to the sport spanned decades, reflecting a deep passion for the game and its community.

On February 24, 2016, Rafael passed away in Bilbao at the age of 97, following respiratory failure. His long life witnessed tremendous change in Spain and in the world of football itself. Though specific details of his playing and managerial achievements are not widely documented here, his legacy remains tied to the sport he loved and to the Basque footballing tradition he helped shape during his lifetime.

Rafael’s journey from his birth in Guernica through nearly a century of life represents a remarkable span of years. He leaves behind a memory of dedication to football during a transformative era in Spanish sports history.