He was born in Barcelona on January 13th 1947. Carles Rexach i Cerdà, known as Charly or El Noi de Pedralbes (The boy from Pedralbes) after the neighbourhood where he lived as a child, first signed for Barça in 1959 as a 12-year-old.



Just six years later, on April 25, 1965, in a Copa del Rey match against Racing Santander at El Sardinero, he made his first team debut.

Scared

But 18-year-old Carles Rexach was scared.

After being told by Salvador Artigas that he would be playing, the nerves kicked in. At that point in time it was customary for debutants to share the night before with the captain.

An anxious Charly asked Ferran Olivella, "How should I play?" The veteran, a man of few words, answered: "You know how to play football? Well, do what you know how to do and you're fine." His little pep talk must've worked because Rexach looked impressive throughout and scored the final goal in a 4-0 victory.