César Rodríguez Álvarez

César Rodríguez Álvarez (6 July 1920 – 1 March 1995), sometimes known as just César, was a Spanish football forward and manager.

During his career, which spanned more than two decades, he played mainly for Barcelona, appearing in 351 official matches and scoring 232 goals (previously counted as 235), making him the highest goalscorer in the club's history for several decades, until he was passed by Lionel Messi. He won five La Liga championships with the team in a total of 13 major trophies, and was renowned for his ability to score from corners.

César represented Spain at the 1950 World Cup. After retiring, he managed both Zaragoza and Barcelona amongst several other professional teams.

Club career Barcelona Rodríguez was born in León, Castile and León, and joined FC Barcelona in 1939. However, military service saw him being relocated to Granada and Granada CF the following year, and he played two seasons on loan in Andalusia, helping the club promote to La Liga for the first time ever then adding 23 goals in only 24 games in the following season for a final tenth position – out of 14 teams, good enough for league status preservation; this included six in a 7–3 home win against CD Castellón, on 22 March 1942. He also scored the first ever Granada goal in La Liga on 28 September 1941 in a 1:1 draw.

César returned to Barcelona in 1942, winning his first national championship in 1944–45, to which conquest he contributed with 15 goals in 24 matches. During his 13-year stint in Catalonia he scored in double digits in 11 seasons, surpassing the 20-goal mark in three. His early teammates included, among others, Antoni Ramallets, Juan Velasco, Josep Escolà, Joan Segarra, Estanislau Basora, José Gonzalvo and Mariano Gonzalvo; in 1949 he won his first and only Pichichi Trophy (28 goals) and, two years later, he scored twice in the 3–0 win over Real Sociedad in the Copa del Generalísimo final.

César scored the first goal ever in the first division for both Granada and Leonesa.

International goals Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 11 March 1945 Estádio Nacional, Lisbon, Portugal 2–2 Draw Friendly 2 6 May 1945 Riazor, A Coruña, Spain 4–2 Win Friendly 3 21 March 1948 Nuevo Chamartín, Madrid, Spain 2–0 Win Friendly 4 18 February 1951 Nuevo Chamartín, Madrid, Spain 6–3 Win Friendly 5 1 June 1952 Nuevo Chamartín, Madrid, Spain 6–0 Win Friendly 6 28 December 1952 Nuevo Chamartín, Madrid, Spain 2–2 Draw Friendly

Honours Player Barcelona La Liga: 1944–45, 1947–48, 1948–49, 1951–52, 1952–53 Copa del Generalísimo: 1951, 1952, 1953 Copa Eva Duarte: 1948, 1952, 1953 Latin Cup: 1949, 1952

Granada Segunda División: 1940–41

Elche Segunda División: 1958–59 Tercera División: 1957–58

Manager Zaragoza Copa del Generalísimo: Runner-up 1962–63

Hércules Tercera División: 1969–70

Individual Pichichi Trophy: 1948–49