FC Bayern is mourning Ramiro Blacut, who died at the age of 80 in his Bolivian homeland. Blacut was part of the Bayern squad from 1964 to 1966, and although he never made a competitive appearance for the Reds because of a cruciate ligament tear, he made history as the first South American player in FCB history. The German record champions are joined in grief with Blacut's family and friends.
The Bolivian was attending a language course in Kochel, Upper Bavaria, in preparation for his studies when he came into contact with Bayern, who were playing in the then Regionalliga (now the second division) at the time. Coach Zlatko Cajkovski took a liking to the winger, who chased the ball alongside club legends such as Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Maier and Gerd Müller. The former Bolivian international once raved about Beckenbauer, who was a year younger than him, to the FC Bayern members' magazine "51": "He never fouled. Never! A really great team-mate. Fierce, determined and collegial. A gentleman on and off the pitch." He said of his own style: "My football was cheerful."
He remained in Munich following the end of his studies in 1967. He later played at top-flight level in Peru and Bolivia and remained involved in football after the end of his playing career. He did his coaching badge in Germany, held the position of Bolivia national team coach several times and is regarded as one of his country's most significant football personalities. He continued to follow Bayern from his home country.
© Header photo: Manuel Seoane