Antonio Chas Veira

Antonio Chas Veira (14 March 1915 – 11 December 1980) was a Spanish footballer who played as a forward for Celta de Vigo, Racing de Santander, Espanyol, and Real Oviedo in the 1930s and 1940s. He also played two matches for the Catalan national team.

Playing career Early career Born in Oleiros, Galicia, on 14 March 1915, Chas began his football career in his hometown club Galicia Sport Club in 1929, aged only 14, where his talent was immediately noticed by the scoutes of Deportivo de La Coruña, who quickly signed him in 1930. Tall and robust, he had the ideal physique for a center-forward at that time, becoming known as "the impetuous battering ram", With the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, Chas was unable to return to Santander, so he joined Espanyol for the 1936–37 season, scoring 19 goals in 30 matches, and helping his side win the Catalan championship in 1936–37. The relegation led Chas to return to Espanyol, with whom he played for a further two seasons, scoring 25 goals in 34 matches, Together with Macala, Gabriel Jorge, and Francisco Mas, he played a crucial role in helping Espanyol reach the final of the 1941 Copa del Generalísimo against Valencia CF, which ended in a 3–1 loss.

Later career In 1944, Chas was signed by Real Oviedo, remaining there for four seasons, where he scored a further two La Liga hat-tricks, including against his future club Real Murcia (3–2) on 15 April 1945, which he went on to join in 1947, after passing through Caudal Deportivo on loan from Oviedo. He played his last football in Murcia, retiring in 1948, at the age of 33.

Death After retiring, Chas returned to his homeland of Galicia, where he raised his family, started a hospitality business, and also where he died on 11 December 1980, at the age of 65.

Honours RCD Espanyol Catalan championship: Champions (1): 1936–37

Copa del Rey: Runner-up (1): 1941