TNT Sports
Zarra tributes pour in
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Published 24/02/2006 at 14:19 GMT
Athletic Bilbao great Telmo Zarraonaindia died on Thursday aged eighty-five. His heart stopped at six o'clock in the evening at his home in the Basque capital. Since he passed away tributes have been pouring in from across Spain for the record goalscorer.
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In recent years he had suffered from a variety of illnesses.
In 353 games for the club between the years 1940 and 1955, he scored 332 goals, the Spanish goal-scoring record. Along with his six Pichichis- the award for top scorer in La Liga- he also scored the most goals in one season, 38.
In the 1950 King's Cup final he scored four goals against Valladolid. He played exclusively for the Basque team, which to this day only fields players from its own region.
In 20 games for the Spanish national side he scored 20 goals. The most famous of these was against England in the 1950 World Cup, when Spain reached the semi-finals, their best ever performance.
Athletic coach Javier Clemente paid tribute to the man known as &lsquoZarra' to the San Mamés afición. "I remember Zarra as a charming, beloved and humble person. Everything he did for this club is legendary and important for us".
His funeral will take place on Monday at the BasĂlica de Begoña. Representatives from Racing, Sevilla, Valencia, Real Madrid and AtlĂ©tico Madrid will attend.
PEREZ ON RONALDO AND LOPEZ CARO
Florentino PĂ©rez has stated that Ronaldo will continue with Real Madrid next season.
"He wants to stay here and neither Milan nor Inter have made an offer for him," the president said. "Now we need the best out of Ronaldo for the rest of the season."
The president also gave his backing for coach Juan RamĂłn LĂłpez Caro.
"LĂłpez Caro will continue as coach of Real Madrid," Perez said. "He's been with us for two months and we are very happy with his work."
Perez's words may or may not have something to do his acceptance that potential replacement Thierry Henry is unlikely to move away from Arsenal in the summer.
"Arsenal want him to stay and I believe he will continue playing with them," Perez said.
DEPOR IN VENUE REQUEST
Deportivo La Coruña are still hoping that the Spanish Football Federation will allow the King's Cup Final to be played in its own Riazor stadium in the club's centenary year.
Real Madrid was allowed this favour in 2003, although the club then lost to Depor.
Depor has traditionally had a rocky relationship with the Federation and many people in the media suspect it will be thwarted in its request.
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