The First Filipino Professional Football Player

Paulino Alcántara

Paulino Alcántara Riestrá (7 October 1896—13 February 1964) was a Filipino–Spanish footballer and manager. He spent most of his playing career at Barcelona and was the first Filipino and Asian player to play for a European club. He also played for Catalonia, the Philippines and Spain. Alcántara made his debut for Barcelona at the age of 15 and remains the youngest player to play or score for the club. He also scored 357 goals in 357 matches, making him the club's highest goalscorer (counting goals scored in both official games and friendlies). After retiring as a player in 1927 at the age of 31, he became a doctor. On 5 July 1927, Barcelona played against Spain in a testimonial match in his honor and he later served as a club director between 1931 and 1934. In 1951, Alcántara became a coach and managed Spain for three games. 

Information gather from Wikipedia

 He is the first Filipino football professional player, that played in European football clubs. Paulino Alcantara, have open the door to Filipino that if we believe we can achieve. He inspire the Filipino football fanatics, that we can be a star if we strive hard. Now the question who will the next star ? and when will the Philippines be able to play in FIFA?