Juan de Urruela

Juan Francisco José de Urruela Morales (29 January 1881 - 16 December 1947) was a Guatemalan of Spanish descent footballer who played as a goalkeeper for FC Barcelona at the turn of the century. He is best known for being the very first goalkeeper to wear the FC Barcelona shirt when he played as such in the club's first-ever game on 8 December 1899.

Early life Born in Guatemala City on 29 January 1881, Urruela was the eldest brother and fourth of five children. Despite being born in Guatemala, he had Spanish nationality, since his grandparents were born in that country.

During his teenage years, he emigrated to Spain and settled in Barcelona, where on 25 June 1907, he married Àgueda Sanllehy Girona, daughter of the Marquises of Caldes de Montbui. In doing so, he not only became the first Guatemelan to wear the Barça jersey, but also the first Central American to do so.

Juan de Urruela played a further two matches for Barça, the first on the 1899 Christmas Eve against Català FC (3–1), and on 26 December against Team Anglès (2–1), forming part of a combined team with players from Barcelona and Català in the latter two matches.

Later life Being an aristocrat of Spanish descent, King Alfonso XIII granted him Spanish nationality in December 1909, together with his younger brother, and in 1916 he restored the Marquesado de San Román de Ayala, a noble title that had been held by his ancestors.

He was the great-grandfather of the designer Ágata Ruiz de la Prada.