Juan Rodríguez Aretio

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Juan Rodríguez Aretio (10 July 1922 – 24 September 1973) was a Spanish footballer who played as a midfielder and later became a coach. Born in Ferrol, he started with his hometown club Racing de Ferrol and also played for Pontevedra CF and Club Peñasco before joining Celta de Vigo in 1943. In his early years at Celta he formed a strong attacking group with Pahiño, Roig, Miguel Muñoz and Vázquez, helping the team rise from the Segunda División. He played in the 1948 Copa del Rey final, which Celta lost 4–1 to Sevilla.

In 1949 Aretio moved to FC Barcelona for 500,000 pesetas. He kept his eye for goal, scoring 7 times in 19 competitive matches, often alongside Pahiño. He later played for Real Murcia and Sporting de Gijón, including 20 league games for Gijón in 1951–52 and 10 in 1952–53. He returned to Celta in November 1953, but did not reach his former level. He finished his playing career with Salgueiros in Portugal in 1955–56, at age 34. In total, he scored 63 goals in 148 league appearances for Celta.

Aretio was renowned for his dribbling and elegant headers. After retiring, he returned to Celta as a coach in two spells (1961–62 and 1972–73). His 1972–73 season helped Celta avoid relegation with a dramatic final-day win over Real Madrid, a result celebrated during the club’s 50th anniversary, though Aretio was then gravely ill. He also coached Turista, Racing de Ferrol (1960–61), Recreativo de Huelva (1963–64), Melilla, Real Oviedo (1966–67), Avilés and Gran Peña Celtista (1973).

Aretio died of lung cancer in A Coruña on 24 September 1973, at the age of 51. A tribute match was held a month later to honour his memory.