Jorge ‘el Indio’ Urquía dies: former Honduran soccer player who played for Alavés and Mallorca

The former Honduran striker Jorge ‘the Indian’ Urquíawho defended the colors of the Honduras teamin addition to the Olympiahe Alavés and the Majorcadied this Thursday at the age of 79 due to a heart attack, according to close relatives.

The former player, recognized as one of the Honduran figures who managed to emigrate to Spanish soccer in the 1970s, died in a care center for the elderly in Tegucigalpa, where he had resided for several years.

Jorge Urquía and his time in Honduran football

Popularly known as ‘the Indian’ Urquíathe attacker began his professional career at the end of the 60s with Atlético Indio, a club that opened the doors for him to later reach the Olympiathe most successful institution in Honduran soccer.

His outstanding performance with the capital team allowed him to become one of the most recognized forwards in the country and attract the attention of European football.

Jorge Urquía’s jump to Spanish football

Thanks to his performances with Olimpia, Jorge Urquía He emigrated to Spain to play in the Second Division with Deportivo Alavés and later with the Majorca.

During his time in Spanish football he shared a dressing room with prominent footballers. In Mallorca he met his compatriot Jorge Signwith whom he also formed a memorable offensive duo in Olimpia.

Furthermore, at Alavés he was a teammate of the Argentine Jorge Valdanowho years later would shine with the Accurate Madrid.

Jorge Urquía and the Honduran national team

The former striker also left his mark on the national team of Hondurasthanks to his scoring ability and dedication on the field of play.

Urquía participated in different World Cup qualifying processes, including the qualifiers heading to Mexico 1970 and Germany 1974.

His last call-up came for the hexagonal eliminatory towards the World Cup. Spain 1982played in Tegucigalpa during 1981, a tournament in which Honduras qualified for a World Cup for the first time.

The return of Jorge Urquía to Olimpia

At the end of the 70s, the attacker returned to Tegucigalpa to rejoin the Olympiaa club where he announced his retirement as a professional footballer.

However, when he seemed permanently away from the fields, the coach José de la Paz Herrera He was summoned again in 1981 to join the squad that played in the hexagonal eliminatory towards the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

Although in his later years he faced problems with alcoholism, in the Honduran soccer environment the memory of his offensive talent and his contribution to the international growth of several popular players in Spanish soccer is maintained.

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