The world of football is dressing all in black as a farewell Rafael Viteri Chavarrisymbolic figure of Burgos CF in the 1970s and by the Athletic Club, who died in Logroño at the age of 73. His name was linked to a period of growth and passion within the Burgos club, both in the second division and in the top category.
Viteri was born on July 11, 1952 in Bilbao, the city where he ended his life and where he took his first steps in professional football. Even at a young age, Viteri showed what it took to become an outstanding attacker. He was trained in the Athletic Club’s youth team and rose from the youth team to the first team in the late 1960s, joining when he was just 20 years old. His time at Athletic left its mark, particularly his First Division debut against Valencia CFa game in which he made his debut as a goalscorer. In the same move he scored two more goals against the Real Oviedo and played a dozen games in Spanish football’s elite, an experience that helped shape his competitive nature.
In the 1973/74 season, Viteri signed a contract for the Burgos CF. He spent six seasons there, establishing himself as a starter and offensive star. His arrival coincided with a time of great ambition for the team, which wanted to establish itself as first Second and then in the First Division. During these years he shared a dressing room with renowned players such as Juanito, Manzanedo, Palmer, Portugal, Cabral, García Navajas, López, Sergio Kresic and Tito Valdés. He also had the opportunity to learn from experienced coaches, including Frenchmen Lucien Müller and Marcel Domingo, as well as Spanish coaches such as Arsenio Iglesias and García Traid, both of whom had a major influence on the team’s tactical development.
Viteri’s contribution to the Burgos club is reflected in his numbers: he played 147 games, of which he was a starter 132 times and scored 37 goals. His most famous achievement came in the 1975/76 season when Burgos CF reached the championship Promotion to the First Division. That season, Viteri scored 12 goals, a figure that was crucial for the team to become champions of the second division and return to the honorary category of Spanish football. This success was celebrated by fans as one of the most important moments in the club’s history.
Despite his talent and consistency, Viteri’s career was cut short. A persistent injury forced him to retire at the age of 28.when he was still at his best physically and football-wise. His last team was Linareswhere he played on loan after leaving Burgos CF in the 1979–80 season, the year in which the club was relegated to the second division and began a period of institutional difficulties.
At the Athletic Club there was also the memory of a appointed striker Successor of Arrieta IIthe historic number nine from Bilbao. Viteri’s projection and scoring abilities aroused great expectations among the red and white fans, who saw in him a future reference for the club. Rafael Viteri Chávarri left a deep mark on those who shared his dressing room and on the fans who followed his career. His legacy remains in the memory of B fans.Urgos CFfor whom his name continues to be a symbol of dedication, passion and love for football.
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