Ferran Olivella Pons (22 June 1936 – 14 May 2023) was a Spanish footballer who played as a defender.
Club career Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Olivella joined FC Barcelona's youth ranks at the age of 17. He started playing as a senior with neighbouring SD España Industrial in the Segunda División, returning to the Camp Nou in 1956.
Olivella appeared in 320 competitive games during his spell with his main club. He won back-to-back La Liga championships from 1958 to 1960, scoring his only goal as a professional on 14 February 1960 in an 8–0 home demolition of UD Las Palmas.
International career Olivella earned 18 caps for the Spain national team in eight years. He made his debut on 31 March 1957, in a 5–0 friendly win against Belgium.
When the country won the 1964 European Nations' Cup, Olivella acted as captain. He was also selected for the 1966 FIFA World Cup held in England, being an unused squad member in an eventual group-stage exit.
Death Olivella died on 14 May 2023, at the age of 86.
Honours Barcelona La Liga: 1958–59, 1959–60 Copa del Generalísimo: 1957, 1958–59, 1962–63, 1967–68 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1955–58, 1958–60, 1965–66 Small Club World Cup: 1957
Spain UEFA European Championship: 1964
Spain U18 UEFA European Under-18 Championship: 1954
Individual UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1964
References
External links
FC Barcelona profile