Growing up on the farms in Puçol, Pep Claramunt hardly believed he would go on to become of Valencia's greatest ever players.
After coming through the youth ranks, Claramunt would go on to make over 381 official appearances for Los Che between 1966 and 1978.
He was perhaps ahead of his time as a holding midfielder for both Valencia and Spain, diminutive at 5ft 5in but strong, tenacious and composed on the ball, directing the play like a quarterback.
For six games In 1970's, Claramunt would captain Spain and would win a total of 23 caps for his country.
One of Claramunt's greatest memories was facing England at Wembley in 1968, just two years after they won the World Cup on home soil.
In an exclusive with Tribalfootball.com, Claramunt recalled facing Bobby Charlton & Co. in the important European Championship qualifier.
"With 95,000 people in attendance and some of the World Cup winners of the 1966 England team on the pitch… it was a memorable atmosphere," Claramunt said.
“We were playing well and I remember the great Gordon Banks saving one of my shots on goal. We were holding out for a well-earned goalless draw to take back with us to Spain (as an advantage) for the second leg.
“Unfortunately, a Valencia teammate, Poli, fouled Bobby Charlton in the final minutes of the match. Charlton scored from a free-kick outside the box in the 83rd minute… and we lost 1-0 in London. By the time we played the second leg in Madrid, I was injured and couldn't play at the Bernabéu. Spain lost 3-1 on aggregate to England over the 2 legs."
Don Pep Claramunt!! pic.twitter.com/HTiKFSKcSV
— Paco Garcia @1205 (@PacoGar39472774) April 27, 2019
It wasn't the only time Claramunt played on English soil, with the 74-year-old coming across both Leeds and Manchester City during his sparkling career.
It was his clashes against the former which stand out best in his memory, with the recently departed Jack Charlton an especially memorable figure.
Speaking of the time he faced the Yorkshire club in the UEFA Cup in 1967, Claramunt said: “They had a hard reputation and there was lot of physical contact and we played at night against Leeds.
“It had been rainy so the pitch was damp and the ball was faster, which suited my style of football perfectly…instead of the dryer pitches in Valencia because of the weather. I was a good dribbler and I had good ability on-the-ball so the faster pace of English football suited my style of playing.
“I always like the style of English football and the way they played, more physical and a faster rhythm too. I remember Norman Hunter's influence in the matches but the player I remember most for Leeds was Jackie Charlton who was Bobby Charlton's brother.
“He wasn't the fastest of players but he was very strong and tall and Jackie made my life difficult on the pitch! He was an icon at Leeds and I understand that he played for Leeds for all of his club career. I can also see certain similarities regarding Leeds United and Valencia CF as clubs over the years."
Claramunt came up against some of football's greatest ever players, including Johan Cruyff, who was his rival at Barcelona for five years.
He says of the Dutchman: “He was one of the greatest football players in the world and up there with Diego Maradona, in my opinion.
“When I evaluate a truly great player, i always look at two things. That is, I look firstly at what they contribute individually as a player and, secondly, what they transmit to the club they play for.
"Like (Lionel) Messi, I feel that Cruyff has transmitted more to the clubs that he played for than even Maradona or Pele…even though they won more titles for their national teams."
Cruyff v Claramunt I.
© Las Provincias #ValenciaBarca#FCBarcelonapic.twitter.com/yYhMnAYlAn
— Barça Lovers (@barcalovers1992) October 7, 2018
Another player who Claramunt faced was Bayern Munich and West Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer, a player who he says has never been emulated since.
"Very impressive. Beckenbauer was the best player in his position in Europe at the time. He played at a very high-level.
"Bayern Munich's system of playing was designed for him. Yes, his way of playing was revolutionary for the time. Playing as a 'sweeper' means he could almost play anywhere…he didn't really have a fixed position and he was fantastic going forward, physically powerful and very swift in getting near the opponent's box.
"No-one could compare to him now as the tactics are different and the game has changed and the system now played just does not make it possible to compare to that era. Perhaps Lothar Matthäus tried to replace him at Bayern Munich and for Germany… but he just didn't have Beckenbauer's speed or charisma on the pitch either."
In his twelve La Liga seasons at Mestalla, perhaps Claramunt's greatest success was ending the club's 25-year wait for the league title, managing to beat Barcelona on goal difference in the 1970/71 campaign.
A true Valencianista, Claramunt revealed he rejected offers from big clubs to stay in his hometown, where he still resides today.
“I had offers from Real Madrid and FC Barcelona but I never wanted to leave Valencia. I wasn't attracted to “the adventure" of playing elsewhere.
“I had my family and friends in my pueblo of Puzol, which is near Valencia and it was like having a home from home. My family come from the country, working on the land (“la huerta") and we all grow up with a real sense of community.
“I was well-paid, playing at Valencia CF and winning some titles too. I had everything I needed in the pueblo and I was also playing for the Spanish national side so I didn't feel like I was missing out at all. I have lived in the pueblo of Puzol (near Valencia) all my life and Mestalla is like a second home for me."
Video Courtesy of MITO VALENCIA CF
