Juan Tuñas
Encyclopedia
Juan Tuñas Bajeneta, nicknamed "Romperredes" (17 July 1917 – 4 April 2011) was a Cuba
n footballer. He played for the Cuban clubs Juventud Asturiana and Centro Gallego, and was the oldest surviving member of the Cuba national football team
that played at the 1938 FIFA World Cup
in France
, scoring a goal against Romania
(according to the official FIFA match report http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/pwc/mr_1156.html).
After helping lead Cuba to the quarterfinals in their only World Cup appearance, he moved to Mexico
and played for Real Club España
, winning two Liga Mayor (Mexican First Division)
championships there, in 1942 and 1945.
His nickname Romperredes means "net-breaker", after his powerful shots on goal.
In 2005, he received the Gloria del Deporte Cubano Award in La Habana. Since his retirement he resided in Mexico City
and was the last surviving member of Cuba's squad from the 1938 World Cup.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n footballer. He played for the Cuban clubs Juventud Asturiana and Centro Gallego, and was the oldest surviving member of the Cuba national football team
Cuba national football team
The Cuba national football team is the national team of Cuba and is controlled by the Asociación de Fútbol de Cuba. They are affiliated to the Caribbean Football Union of CONCACAF....
that played at the 1938 FIFA World Cup
1938 FIFA World Cup
The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third staging of the World Cup, and was held in France from 4 June to 19 June. Italy retained the championship, beating Hungary 4–2 in the final.-Host selection:...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, scoring a goal against Romania
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
(according to the official FIFA match report http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/pwc/mr_1156.html).
After helping lead Cuba to the quarterfinals in their only World Cup appearance, he moved to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and played for Real Club España
Real Club España
Real España Club was a football club from Mexico City team that played in Mexican first division. España was one of the most popular teams at the time Romántica of Mexican football. During the Amateur era they won 14 League titles and 4 Mexican Cups...
, winning two Liga Mayor (Mexican First Division)
Primera División de México
The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
championships there, in 1942 and 1945.
His nickname Romperredes means "net-breaker", after his powerful shots on goal.
In 2005, he received the Gloria del Deporte Cubano Award in La Habana. Since his retirement he resided in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
and was the last surviving member of Cuba's squad from the 1938 World Cup.