Marcelino Gálatas

Marcelino Mamerto Gálatas Rentería (2 April 1903 – 8 April 1994), nicknamed "Chelín", was a Spanish international footballer, born in the Philippines, who played as an inside forward and midfielder for Athletic Bilbao, SD Deusto, Real Sociedad and Atlético Madrid during his time in Spain.

Early life and education Gálatas was born in Manila to a wealthy family of Basque origin who established their businesses in the Philippines. His parents encouraged him and his brothers to study in Spain, and Gálatas studied for a degree in industrial engineering in both Bilbao and Madrid.

Club career Early career Gálatas began his football career with Athletic Bilbao, making an unofficial appearance for the first-team at the age of 16. In doing so, he came both the first Filipino and first Asian-born player to represent the club. Gálatas played all 6 games and scored 3 goals.

In the 1924–25 season he played 13 league matches, scoring 4 goals, as the club won its third Gipuzkoan Championship. The victory allowed them to take part in the 1925 Copa del Rey where they lost in the group stage against eventual finalist Arenas Club de Getxo. Chelín in his first cup competition collected 4 appearances and 1 goal.

Athletic de Madrid An illustration of Chelín by Eduardo Teus, when writing about the victory of Athletic de Madrid over Real Madrid for the 1927–28 Campeonato Regional Centro in the El Sol (Madrid) newspaper.

During his time at Real Sociedad, whilst studying in Madrid, Gálatas was allowed to play some friendly matches for Athletic de Madrid. Gálatas scored his first official goal for the club in the 66th minute of a 6–0 win over Unión Sporting Club. During the season, Gálatas played a total of 22 matches, scoring 4 goals.

Return to the Philippines After the season ended, Gálatas was close to joining Celta Vigo for a tour to South America.

However, after obtaining his degree, he returned to the Philippines with his brother Manuel to visit their family.

For the next season Marcelino represented both Isabela and Iloilo City.

Gálatas then joined Athletic, reuniting with all of his brothers.

International career

Gálatas made his first and only international football appearance for Spain on 17 April 1927, playing a friendly against Switzerland at the Estadio El Sardinero.

After his return to the Philippines, there were calls by fans and in the media for Gálatas to join the Philippines national football team for the 1930 Far Eastern Championship Games. His daughter, an author and concert pianist in Spain, wrote a biography about him called Con Chelín Gálatas todavía, which was published by Real Sociedad in 2004.