Rafael Moreno Aranzadi (23 May 1892 – 1 March 1922), known asPichichi, was a Spanishfootballer who played as aforward. He is known for thePichichi Trophy named in his honour.
He played forAthletic Bilbao during the 1910s and 1920s.[5] He received his nickname because of his frail build.[6]
Born inBilbao,Biscay, Pichichi played in his firstCopa del Rey final in March 1913 asAthletic Bilbao, his sole club, lost 1–0 againstRacing Club de Irún. Later the same year, on 21 August, the same opponents, now renamed Real Unión, were invited to play the inaugural game atSan Mamés Stadium, and he scored the very first goal at the ground;[7] two months later, he also scored the first goal atReal Sociedad's newAtotxa Stadium in the opening fixture for that venue.[8]
Easily identifiable on the pitch due to a white cloth he tied to his head,[9] Pichichi subsequently played in five other domestic cup finals, winning four and netting ahat-trick in the1915 final as Athletic beatRCD Español 5–0.[10][11] After returning from the 1920 Olympics, some supporters felt that his performances were no longer measuring up to his 'star' status, and this criticism caused him to abruptly quit playing altogether in order to become areferee.[12]
Pichichi died on 2 March 1922 at age 29 from a sudden attack oftyphus,[13][10] with the grief among the fans at the shock news heightened with regret for the acrimonious manner in which their hero had departed the club.[10] He scored a total of 83 goals in 89 games for his only team.[14][15]
Pichichi's father was mayor of Bilbao,[10] and he wasMiguel de Unamuno's nephew.[17] Both he and his future wife were immortalised in a painting byAurelio Arteta (although it is said that the image originally depicted teammateJosé María Belauste, and came to be known as a representation of Pichichi and his fiancée following his death[citation needed]).[18][10]
In 1926, abust was erected in Pichichi's honour at the San Mamés Stadium. It was tradition for teams visiting the ground for the first time pay homage by leaving a bouquet of flowers at its base.[19] As of 22 October 2025,Qarabağ FK. became the most recent team to do so.[20] Despite concerns that it might not be accommodated atAthletic's new ground,[21] a suitable spot was identified at the entrance to the players' tunnel, allowing the tradition to continue at the new location from 2013 onwards.[22]
