In March 1940, Southampton Football Club reluctantly parted ways with a beloved player who had captivated wartime fans and teammates alike. 

This player would go on to achieve legendary status in the Spanish La Liga with the powerhouse club, Real Madrid.

Sabin Barinaga, a native of Durango, Spain, sought refuge in England in 1936. Forced to flee his homeland as a teenager due to the devastating Spanish Civil War, Barinaga joined his two siblings in their escape. 

Barinaga's time at Southampton was a prolific one. The charismatic Spaniard's goal-scoring exploits were legendary, culminating in a remarkable 62-goal season for the club's "B" team. 

Even in his final match for the Saints reserves, where he captained the side against an RAF team in the Hampshire League, Barinaga's form remained exceptional, netting three goals to bring his total to an impressive 87 goals in just 36 matches.

The Daily Echo's match report praised Barinaga's contributions beyond his impressive goal tally. It highlighted his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates, emphasising his intelligent play and forward-thinking approach to the game.

Sadly, Barinaga's time at Southampton was cut short. In early 1940, he was forced to return to Spain due to the inability to secure a work permit in England. 

This abrupt departure left a void in the hearts of Southampton fans who had grown to admire his talent.

Barinaga's departure left a deep sense of loss within the club. 

According to the Echo, no one was more disappointed than manager Tom Parker, who saw immense potential in Barinaga and considered him the best young player he had ever discovered.

A farewell ceremony was held in the Southampton dressing room to honour Barinaga's departure. Club chairman Mr J Sarjantson expressed the best wishes of the directors, manager Tom Parker, the coaching staff, players, and everyone at the Dell. 

In addition to his Junior and Senior Southampton Competition Medals, Barinaga took with him cherished photographs of his time with the Saints.

Upon returning to his native Basque County, Barinaga briefly trialled with Athletic Bilbao before signing for Real Madrid. 

After a loan spell at Real Valladolid, Barinaga's exceptional talent once again shone through. He quickly earned a place in the Real Madrid starting lineup, where he continued to impress fans with his goal-scoring ability.

Barinaga's time at Real Madrid was highlighted by his starring role in the iconic El Clásico match of June 1943, where he scored an astonishing four goals in just 13 minutes against Barcelona. 

Throughout his ten-year tenure with Real, Barinaga achieved numerous successes and honours. 

One of his most notable accomplishments was scoring the first-ever goal at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in December 1947, ensuring his name would forever be etched in the club's history.

Barinaga left Real Madrid as a free agent in 1950 after a frustrating final season. Despite his natural goal-scoring abilities, he was often deployed as a central defender, limiting his opportunities to showcase his attacking prowess.

Barinaga's playing career concluded in October 1953 after three more seasons of top-level football with Real Sociedad and Real Betis. 

He then transitioned into coaching, embarking on a 25-year career. 

While he didn't achieve the same level of success as a manager, Barinaga remained a respected figure in Spanish football, held in high esteem until his passing in March 1988.