By Manolo Rodríguez

This week was the 84th anniversary of the debut in the national team of Pedro Areso and Serafín Aedo, two mythological names in Real Betis history. The defenders of that outstanding team that became league champions in 1935. Two icons.

They both wore the national shirt for the first time on the 24th of January of 1935 at Chamartín Stadium in Madrid (the current Santiago Bernabéu). An unprecedent event that has never happened again. The only time when two Betis players made their national debut at the same time.

However, Areso and Aedo were not the first players capped at international level.  We have already told the story of the first to have this honour, Simón Lecue, who wore the red shirt for the first time on the 27th of May of 1934 in an exciting Spain vs Brazil played in Genova with Spanish victory 3-1.

Then, the time for these two powerful centre-backs came. Spain was about to face France and the national coach, Amadeo García Salazar, was having trouble to make his defensive line. Real Madrid players Ciriaco and Quincoces were injured, and Barcelona's Zabalo was not in his best moment. The national team needed to strengthen in the back.

For these reasons, the national coach opted for the two towers that Betis, the leader in that moment, had. Two trustworthy players that, alongside keeper Urquiaga, had only conceded 7 goals in the league.

Pedro Areso Aramburu, born in Villafranca de Ordizia (Guipuzcoa) had arrived to Betis in October 1932. He was 23, fast and strong. He was always in the eleven since he arrived and he outstood for his amazing understanding of the game.

Serafín Aedo Renieblas was born in Barakaldo (Biscay), and signed for Real Betis in Summer 1933. He was 26 and was a strong defender, powerful in aerial balls. He also was an example of loyalty and commitment to the Club.

On Sunday the 20th of January of 1935, Betis plays at Barcelona against Espanyol. 1-1 in the score (Lecue scored) and that score allows Betis to continue at the top of the table with one point of advantage over Real Madrid. It is already publicly known that Areso and Aedo are going to play for the national team and the Catalan press make a special following to the players. They perform superbly and are interviewed after the match.

The both state that wearing the national shirt is the utmost goal for any player. For this, they say it's a great moment.

The two national players travel directly to Madrid from Barcelona while the rest of the team travel to Seville. Areso and Aedo are gathered with the team at Hotel Victoria in El Escorial. Boxer Ignacio Ara, a true celebrity back in the day, is also in the hotel. Middleweight champion in 1932, he offered glorious fights in New York, Havana and Buenos Aires, and was known as "The professor of the twelve ropes". The papers say Ara is in El Escorial resting and recovering from his injuries.

The national coach only allows the players to get out the rooms for short gym sessions and some strolls while the hotel is full of journalists and photographers. The two new additions, Betis defenders who the national coach defines as solid and reckless, are the most wanted. They have Ricardo Zamora on goal and that reinforces everyone's confidence.

On Tuesday, the travel to Madrid and that same day the French arrive to Madrid North Station. FIFA chairman Jules Rimet comes with them. The expectation for the game is huge. So much that, as Spanish papers explained in awe, there will be, for the first time in the country, a tele-photography delivery system brought by L'Intrasigent that wouls allow them to publish pictures of the game in the next day evening issue.

Chamartín is sold out on the 24th of January of 1935. The sixth Spain-France in history is going to be played and the record is for the Spaniards: five wins and just one defeat, but it had happened in the last game played between them, in 1933, and that still stings.

Since then, Spain had completed an excellent Italy 34 World Cup and the fans want to see that good image reflected in the match against the neighbours from the north. The national team cannot fail.

The kick off happens at 2 o'clock. Officially, 18,000 tickets have been sold but it is believed that 25,000 people are in the venue. Newspaper ABC says that "ten minutes before the start, it was impossible to get near the stadium, with the gates flooded with people trying desperately to get inside."

English referee Lewington officiates the match and these were the line-ups: 

Spain: Zamora, Areso, Aedo, Cilaurren, Muguerza, Marculeta, Lafuente, Regueiro, Lángara, Hilario, Gorostiza.

France: Thepot, Vandooren, Matter, Gabrillargues, Verriest, Lehman, Courtois, Alcázar, Nicolás, Río, Langiller.

The match is not brilliant but Spain wins it 2-0. Luis Regueiro opens the score in the 13th minute and Hilario closes it in the 80th. Both Real Madrid players. The press talks well about Areso and Aedo. It is said they were a bit nervous at the start but got better as the game went by.

However, they were never together again in the national team. Areso played a couple of times more in 1935 and Aedo returned in 1936 to play three games.

Pedro Areso signed for FC Barcelona in Summer 1935 while Serafín Aedo was a Green and White until the war started in 1936. In fact, he renewed his contract with the club days before the hostilities began.

War changes everything, though. Areso moved to Argentina and went back to Spain in 1045. Aedo stayed in Mexico for the rest of his life. But they never forgot the passion at Betis. A feeling that made them champions.

And Real Betis fans showed it to them in October 1987, when they received and ovation by Benito Villamarín Stadium. An emotional meeting long awaited.