Six Menorcan footballers have been recognised in a list of legends to mark the centenary of Balearic football.
The governing body, the Balearic Islands Football Federation (FFIB), has created a new permanent mural entitled ‘The Best in History’ as a tribute to those who have made outstanding contributions over history. The list, currently standing at 93 in total, will continue to be updated over time.
The six Menorcan players on the list:
German Bagur
Bagur began his career at hometown club CD Menorca, who he joined at the age of eight in 1925. He went on to play for Mallorcan club CD Constancia, helping reach the promotion play-offs to the First Division, before he eventually played in the top flight with CD Alcoyano, after winning the Second Division championship with them.
A defender, Bagur made his First Division debut in 1947 against Real Madrid and spent two seasons at that level. After Alcoyano’s relegation, he won the Second Division title with them for a second time, then moving to Atletico Baleares, helping them earn promotion to the Second Division. At the end of his career, Bagur returned to CD Menorca, playing past the age of 40, and his retirement was marked by a testimonial match between CD Menorca and RCD Mallorca in August 1960.
Antonio Cladera
The first ever Balearic player to play in the First Division was Mahon-born striker Antonio Cladera Florit, who played in the first ever seasons of La Liga, scoring 23 goals for Racing Santander between 1927 and 1931. Born in 1906, Cladera would spend some time at FC Barcelona, playing in two unofficial matches for them during the 1931/32 season.
It was Cladera’s goals in the relegation play-off that saved Santander from the drop in La Liga’s inaugural season, making him a hero among their fans, and they went on to finish second in 1930/31, level on points with winners Bilbao.
Jose ‘Boy’ Sanchez
Boy, full name José Sánchez Llambías, was a champion of the Balearic Islands with UD Mahon and earned himself a move to FC Barcelona, but struggled to break in to their team. A move to Espanyol followed in 1959, becoming the youngest player in the First Division that season at the age of 18. He played eight seasons in total at Espanyol, two in the Second Division, and at one time played alongside the legendary Alfredo Di Stefano. A spell with RCD Mallorca followed, but a serious injury forced him to return home and he ended up seeing out his final seasons as a player on the island with CD Menorca and UD Mahon.
Mingo Rosello
Francisco Domingo Rosello made his debut for UD Mahon at the age of 17 and was signed by FC Barcelona in 1967, though never played an official league matche for them. He did, later in his career, go on to play in the First Division for Real Betis. Born in Fornells, Rosello made 133 appearances in the top two divisions of Spanish football.
You can read the profile article on Rosello we have previously published on this website.
Domingo Serra
Defender Serra, born in 1921, had an enviable professional career that began at Real Madrid, who signed him in his early 20s. He never appeared for them in a competitive game though, and instead made his name in two separate spells with Badalona. Ciutadella-born, he did play a single season in the First Division with CE Sabadell in 1948/49.
Joan Capo
Profiled recently on this website, Joan Capo is a legend of CE Sabadell, so much so that their goalkeeper kit for the 2026/27 season was released in tribute to him.
The Ciutadella-born goalkeeper had a spell at FC Barcelona, without playing a competitive match, but represented Sabadell with distinction, making a total of 366 appearances across 11 seasons in two spells, either side of a stint in the top flight with Celta Vigo.
About the list and surprise omissions
The FFIB said (translated): “This new space was created with the aim of preserving the legacy of those who, with their talent, effort, and commitment, have contributed to the growth of football in the Balearic Islands and have carried the name of our islands beyond our borders. Because the present of Balearic football cannot be understood without the path forged by those who came before them.
“The initiative brings together a wide representation of footballers who, throughout different generations, have proudly defended Balearic football and have written unforgettable pages of our history.
“The history of Balearic football is now on display at home. And from today, visitors to the FFIB headquarters can explore the legacy of those who made our football great and who will continue to be a source of pride for the entire Balearic football family.”
The FFIB headquarters are situated in Palma.
Remarkably, there is no place on the list for European Cup winning goalkeeper Juan Nito Bagur, who played for Real Madrid and Real Socieded in the 1950s and 60s.
The Menorca newspaper suggested some other names that could have featured – Sergi Enrich, Biel Medina, Jon Bautista, Pedro Capo, Ruben Martinez, Xavi Sintes.
