Barca legend's kin to play for RP

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Ricky with his modified Barca jersey

AT the start of the 20th Century, his grand father ruled Spanish football, en route to a legendary career at FC Barcelona, now 21-year-old Ricardo Alcantara Paredes wants to continue the legacy for the Philippine national team almost a full century later.

"I'm 21 and currently living in the United States but I was born in Quezon City," Paredes said in an email to Sunstar Cebu, "I have lineage to Paulino Alcantara but my Lolo does not remember, either he is my great grandfather's brother or first cousin,"

According to, Manuel Tomás Belenguer, head of the documentation division of FC Barcelona, Alcantara is considered as one of the legendary players of Barcelona for scoring 356 goals in 357 games.

The reply was sent to a query made by former Cebu based football coach, Graeme Mackinnon who forwarded it to Sunstar. Mackinnon is leading a drive to have Alcantara recognized in his home soil, a drive which the US based descendants of Alcantara are also supporting.

"To make things more interesting I have been meeting with other Alcantara family I have not met but are related to me trying to dig up answers", Paredes wrote, "I'm awaiting to get in contact with his main family in Barcelona"

The other info Belenguer provided on Alcantara, born in Ilo-ilo on Oct 7 1896 to a Spanish father, were also impressive.

"In 1920, Spain selected him for the Olympic team, but he turned down the offer because of his medical studies. Since school was his priority, he only represented Spain in international football competition five times. He scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Belgium in his first international match at the age of 25. He also played for the Philippine National Team. Alcántara is on record as being the first player from Barcelona born outside of Europe to represent Spain in international football competition. In 1922, during the game France-Spain, he shot so hard to goal that the ball perforated the net. Since then he was known as "break nets", " read Belenguer's email.

Alcantara retired on July 5 1927 with impressive records having won five Spanish Cup Championships in championships (1913, 1920, 1922, 1925, 1926) and 10 Catalonia championships (1913, 1916, 1919, 1920. 1921, 1922, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927).

A painting by known Spanish painter Josep Segrelles of Alcantara is also on the FC Barcelona Museum.
Despite this achievements, Alcantara is largely ignored in his own country and by playing on the national team, the younger Paredes wants to bring honor to their name once again.

"I feel as it is my duty like i am the chosen one to get his name in his honor for the Philippines! and the best way to do that is to play for the Philippine National Squad." Paredes said.

Paredes has recently communicated with national coach Aries Caslib of his plans to try out for the team next year

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