Lobo Diarte: the signing with which Valencia burst the market

On May 18, 1976, 44 years ago today, the president of Real Zaragoza, José Ángel Zalba, and that of Valencia, Ramos Costa, signed the transfer of Carlos 'Lobo' Diarte. The 22-year-old Paraguayan, member of the call Zaraguayos (League runner-up with four Paraguayans: Arrúa, Soto, Ocampo and Diarte), had arrived in Spain in January 1974 for five million pesetas (30,000 euros) and Valencia would pay 60 million for it (360,000 euros).

Wolf Diarte, who owed his nickname to Mario Ribarocawho put it on for its fast and long strideThus, it became the most expensive transfer between Spanish clubs. The operation made clear the policy of Ramos Costa, who had come to the presidency in late 1975 and who in the summer of 1976, in addition to Diarte, signed Kempes (240,000 euros). Thus, Heriberto Herrera's Valencia would have a luxury trident: Diarte, Kempes and Johnny Rep (Scorer of the goal that made the European Champion in Belgrade against Cruyff's Ajax Amsterdam in 1973). Two summers later, Ramos Costa would invest another 60 million pesetas in Rainer Bonhoff, world champion with Germany in 1974.

Tension between the directors of Barcelona and Valencia

The Diarte signing, investigated by Real Sociedad and Athletic (a fake father surnamed Martinez was invented to pass as a native), generated discomfort in the high society of Spanish football. Thus, Joan Granados, general secretary of Barcelona (club that today holds the record for transfer between Spanish clubs with Griezmann), denounced in Don Balón: “Valencia has outdated the transfer policy.” Sevilla supported such criticism.

Ramos Costa he also defended himself in the magazine that the journalist was then running José María García: “That each one rule your house without getting into that of others. Valencia have hiredo youth and quality And that, logically, is paid more expensive. But neither I nor my Board squander the money. I'm a businessman, and I don't like throwing away the millions. “

Carlos 'Lobo' Diarte, poet (died of cancer in 2011 after having registered the intellectual property of nearly 200 writings) and singer-songwriter (He acted in the RTVE New Year's Eve Special in 1976), honored his signing with 17 goals in 31 games. But, after an entry by Sevilla player Rafael Jaén, he tore his ligaments (May 1977) and his career slowed down. He left Mestalla after winning the 1979 Copa del Rey, but in the 62 games he played in the two years after his injury, he only scored 6 goals.