Luis Aranaz

Luis Aranaz Iriberri (19 August 1914 – 12 April 1981) was a Spanish footballer who played as a midfielder for CA Osasuna, Sabadell, and Real Murcia in the 1930s and 1940s.

Early life Born in the Navarre town of Estella on 19 August 1914, Aranaz moved to Pamplona with his family at age 12.

Club career Aranaz began his career at Real Betis in 1934, aged 20. Despite failing to make a single league appearance for the club, he is nonetheless considered a member of the squad that won the 1934–35 La Liga title, the first (and only) league title in the history of Betis. He joined fellow top flight club Osasuna in 1935, but his career was then interrupted by the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936. He became the team's captain and helped Sabadell win the second division title in 1942–43, continuing as a starter in the following season. In August 1945, Aranaz (who was not yet fully recovered from the injury) received an offer from Valencia, then in the top flight, but Sabadell prevented this deal from coming to fruition. After retiring, he worked as a coach, taking over his former clubs Logroñés (1956–57) and Osasuna (1964–66).

International career On 28 November 1937, Aranaz played for Spain in an unofficial match against Portugal in Galicia, the home region of General Franco, who arranged this match because he saw football as a propaganda tool; Spain lost 2–1, partly because its squad had been hastily assembled from the best available players in Nationalist areas, including Aranaz.

As a Sabadell player, Aranaz was eligible to play for the Catalan national team, playing three matches between October 1943 and April 1944. The latter ended in a 2–2 draw with Valencian national team.

Death In 1971, Aranaz received the title of adopted son of the city of Sabadell. He died on 12 April 1981, at the age of 66.

Honours Sabadell Segunda División: 1942–43, 1945–46