The La Masia Connection Behind the Philippines’ Victory
The Philippines head coach, Carles Cuadrat, expressed deep pride following his team’s victory over Thailand in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. He dedicated this historic win to the memory of the legendary Filipino-Spanish football icon, the late Paulino Alcántara.
In the match held at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium on Friday, October 2, 2026, the Philippine national team successfully defeated Thailand with a final score of 2–1. This positive result secured third place in the group standings for the Philippines, bringing their total to 4 points.
For Carles Cuadrat, the victory was particularly special as it came just days before Paulino Alcántara’s birth anniversary. He felt the achievement served as a fitting tribute to one of the most influential figures in Philippine football history.
“I also want to dedicate this victory to one of the most important players in the history of the Philippines: Paulino Alcántara. He was a top player who played for FC Barcelona,” said Carles Cuadrat after the match.
The emotional connection between Cuadrat and Alcántara runs deep, given the coach’s own roots at FC Barcelona. The Spanish tactician elaborated on the monumental legacy Alcántara left behind in European football.
“As you know, my background is from Barça, La Masia. I was a player there, and my assistant, Albert Capellas, also comes from Barcelona,” Cuadrat added.
“Paulino Alcántara made a huge impact in Spain while playing for Barça. He was the club’s all-time top scorer with over 300 goals for a very long time, from the 1920s until Messi came along,” he explained.
Cuadrat pointed out that Alcántara’s record stood for nearly a century before being broken by Lionel Messi. Despite the record being passed on, Alcántara’s memory remains deeply cherished by both Catalan and Filipino football fans.
“It wasn’t that long ago that Messi surpassed his record. Alcántara should be an inspiration to fans in the Philippines because he was an extraordinary player. Next week, on October 7, marks his birthday—he was born 130 years ago,” Cuadrat shared.
Alcántara’s international career was equally remarkable, having represented the national team from a remarkably young age. Cuadrat stressed that this rich history must be preserved for future generations.
“He should inspire everyone who loves football in the Philippines. He is a true legend and a giant in the history of the sport, having played for the Philippines starting at just 15 years old,” Cuadrat emphasized.
With the legend’s birth anniversary approaching, Cuadrat viewed the victory as the perfect opportunity to honor his enduring legacy.
“With his birthday coming up, this is the perfect moment to remember him and pay tribute to his legacy with this victory,” he concluded.
