He bolance Spanish is mourning. Rafael Rullánemblematic figure of Real Madrid and fundamental piece of the Spanish team For more than a decade, he died this Sunday at 73 years After a prolonged battle against a disease. The news, confirmed by the Association of Professional Balacestists (ABP) through its social networks, has shocked the world of Spanish sports, especially the Madrid environment, where Rullán left an indelible mark during his 18 years linked to the white entity.
Born in Palma de Mallorca On January 8, 1952, Rullán forged one of the brightest and long -lived national basketball races. His Palmarés It is simply overwhelming: 14 League titles, 9 Cups of Spain, 3 European Cups (1974, 1978 and 1980) – a record that currently shares with Rudy Fernández and Sergio Llull -, a recopa from Europe (1984) and 4 intercontinental glasses. With the Spanish team, where he added 162 internationalities, he conquered the silver medal in the 1973 European, at a time when international medals were much more elusive for Spanish basketball.
Cristóbal Rodríguezpresident of the Real Madrid Basketball Players Association, has expressed his pain in the face of the loss: “A New complication Against which he had no strength to continue fighting he has taken us. He was trying to put another hook to life but came out of time. Grande In size, bigger as a player and much more as a person. “In his emotional message, Rodríguez also revealed that Rullán” had long wanting to say bye But his Belén How much took it, not only at Christmas, I didn’t leave it. “
A life dedicated to Real Madrid
Rafael Rullán’s trajectory will be forever linked to Real Madridclub that came just as a adolescent In 1967. Although he was initially intended for the youth team, he soon caught the attention of Pedro Ferrándizwho made him debut in the first team during the final of the 1969 Generalissimo Cup Against the Badalona Joventut. Despite the Madrid defeat by 82-81, the young Mallorcan pivot stood out with 15 points, anticipating what would be a magnificent career.
His presence on the court was characterized by a Outstanding technical domainespecially with your hook shot and its effectiveness to medium distanceskills that perfected under the tutelage of Clifford Luyk. During his 18 seasons as a player of the first white team, Rullán not only accumulated titles, but also exercised as captainbecoming a benchmark for generations of basketballists.
After Hang the boots In 1988after one last season at Bacobao Villalba, Rullán returned to the club of his life in 1990 To perform different Directive functions. For eight years he was delegated from the team in competitions ACBand although in 1999 he temporarily abandoned the entity for economic disagreements, he returned in the year 2000 with the arrival of Florentino Pérez To the Presidency.
The Mallorcan that conquered Madrid and Europe
Rafael Rullán’s story begins in Palma de Mallorcawhere he started playing basketball in the Luis Vives College. His extraordinary height for the time allowed him to be selected in the call HEIGHT OPERATIONa federative program to capture talents With projection. Although initially the Canoe Club tried to take its services, it was the Real Madrid who managed to incorporate him into his ranks into 1967.
Internationally, Rullán debuted with the Absolute selection In May of 1971 during a friendly tournament held in Brussels. For a decade he defended the colors of Spain in 162 Encountersparticipating in four European championships (1971, 1973, 1975, 1977 and 1979), the Puerto Rico World of 1974 and the Munich Olympic Games 1972. An inopportune injury which required surgery deprived him of playing the Moscow Olympic Games in 1980.
The climax of his career with the selection came with the silver medal achieved in the European from Spain 1973an extraordinary achievement for Spanish basketball of the time. His last game with the national shirt was in May 1981during the European of Czechoslovakia, where Spain ended in fourth position.
Legacy beyond the courts
After his stage as a player and manager, Rullán remained linked to the world of basketball from different areas. Under the presidency of Florentino Pérezhe was in charge of directing the Socio-sports schools of basketball of the Real Madrid Foundation and coordinated the campus organized by this institution, thus contributing to the formation of new generations of players.
His commitment to Real Madrid also led him to be one of the drivers of the Veterans Association of club basketball, where he first exercised as secretary and later as president. This work to keep alive the spirit and history of Madrid’s basketball consolidated him as a Respected figure Not only for their sports achievements, but also for their institutional work.
In recognition of his extraordinary contribution to Spanish sport, Rullán received in 2002 the silver medal of the Royal Order of Sports Meritan award that comes to join the innumerable recognition received throughout his career.
