We will be going back to almost 100 years in this article, as we'll look back at the career of Isidro Lángara. Lángara was a former Spanish striker who was prominent in the 1930's and 1940's. One of the key attributes that made him stand out was his athleticism, which often resulted in the Spaniard scoring several "impossible goals". Let us go through the early golden age of Spanish football, as we rewind his magical career.
The Oviedo years
Isidro Lángara began his football career by playing for several local clubs, which included the likes of Bildur Guchi, Esperanza de San Sebastián, Siempre Adelante de Pasajes and then third division side Tolosa CF.
By the time he was 18, his talents were recognized by second division team Real Oviedo. Oviedo eventually began his first ever professional football club, where he would go on to spend the next 6 years until the 1936 Spanish Civil war.
Lángara was the figurehead of the celebrated Delantera Eléctrica ("The electric forwards") At Oviedo, which included a forward line that was renowned for their lightning quick youthful talent that saw them easily dismantle their opponents. If not for the war, The electric magicians would've surely created more history at Oviedo.
As for Lángara, he was arguably the best striker before the War. The Spaniard was awarded the Pichichi Trophy ( Spanish top scorer award) on 3 occasions before the war. He scored an astounding 81 goals during these 3 seasons (1933–34,1934–35,1935–36). Lángara's excellence was evident even before Oviedo got promoted to the first division, as he was also the top scorer during their second division days.
The Spaniard scored a total of 281 goals in 220 appearances for Oviedo, with 231 of those coming from 160 competitive games. His 60 goals (club + country) during the
1933–34 campaign remains till date the highest single season goalscoring count for any Spanish born footballer.
How the war impacted him
Due to the Spanish civil war, Lángara had to end his association with Oviedo in 1936. He went on to make a single appearance for Athletic Bilbao that year as well. The year of 1937 saw Lángara take part in several exhibition games around Europe with the Basque National team to raise funds for the war effort.
As Bilbao became yet another to the war, the team traveled to the Americas touring Cuba, Mexico and Argentina. Lángara and his teammates then took part in the 1938 Mexican Liga Mayor, with their team name being Euzkadi. They managed to finish second in the league as well. With the civil war eventually ending in 1939, the team was dissolved.
Lángara proceeded to travel to Argentina in search of a new team, as his status as a Republican meant that a return to Spain was risky.
Remaining years
Upon receiving advice from his teammate Ángel Zubieta, Lángara chose Argentinian side San Lorenzo de Almagro as his next home. The Spaniard established himself as a top player for the club, as he became the joint top scorer in the Argentine Primera with 33 goals in 34 games.
It was the signing of Lángara that became a turning point for San Lorenzo, as it helped them to break River Plate's monopoly. Along with René Pontoni and Reinaldo Martino, Lángara was the star player of the San Lorenzo side.
The next chapter of his career took him to Mexican club Real Club España, where he would win his first and only national league title. He continued his goalscoring dominance in Mexico as well, and till date is the only footballer in history to be top scorer in major leagues on three continents.
After many years abroad, he finally returned to his beloved Real Oviedo for one final spell. He eventually announced his retirement after a memorable homecoming to Oviedo, and emigrated back to live in Mexico. Lángara will forever be remembered as one of the earliest ever legends in Spanish football history.
Also Read | Greatest Spanish football legends of all time
