Alberto Malo i Navio (born 3 April 1964 in

Sant Boi de Llobregat Sant Boi de Llobregat () is a city in the Province of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain, located on the banks of the Llobregat river. In 2019 it had 83,605 inhabitants. The city is divided into six neighborhoods (named ''barris'' in Catalan): Ciutat ...

) is a former Spanish rugby union player. In his home region of

Catalonia Catalonia (; ca, Catalunya ; Aranese Occitan: ''Catalonha'' ; es, Cataluña ) is an autonomous community of Spain, designated as a ''nationality'' by its Statute of Autonomy. Most of the territory (except the Val d'Aran) lies on the north ...

his name is often spelled Albert Malo. He played as number eight. He is usually considered one of the best Spanish rugby players ever. He is graduated in Direction and Management of Sports Entities by the University of Barcelona. He also has a Master in Economic Direction of Sports Entities. Malo played his entire Spanish career at

UE Santboiana Unió Esportiva Santboiana is a Spanish rugby union club. The club was established in 1921 and currently competes in the División de Honor de Rugby competition, the highest level of Spanish club rugby. The club are based in Sant Boi de Llobrega ...

, starting aged 10 in 1975/76. He was promoted to the first category at 17 years old, in 1981. In 1990/91, he had his only season abroad when he played in the

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

team of Freyberg RC, after an invitation of Bruce Hemara, who later would be his coach at UE Santboiana. He would play until 1999/2000, ending his career aged 36 years old. He always refused invitations to play in the much competitive

French Championship The French rugby league championship (french: Le Championnat de France de Rugby à XIII) has been the major rugby league tournament for semi-professional and professional clubs in France since the sport was introduced to the country in the 1930s. ...

. He won 5 Spanish Leagues titles, in 1983/84, 1986/87, 1988/89, 1995/96 and 1996/97, 2 Spanish Copas del Rey, in 1989 and 2000, and 2 Iberian Cups, in 1988 and 1989. Malo had 33 caps for

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

, from 1986 to 1999, scoring 2 tries, 9 points on aggregate. The highest point of his career was his presence at the

1999 Rugby World Cup The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup, the quadrennial international rugby union championship. It was principally hosted by Wales, and was won by Australia. This was the first Rugby World Cup to be held in the sport's professi ...

as captain, playing in two games but without scoring.Alberto Malo i Navio International Statistics
/ref> His biography, written by Gloria Llorente, ''Albert Malo. Un Catalán en la Élite del Rugby Internacional'', was published in 2004.

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* 1964 births Living people Rugby union players from Catalonia Spanish rugby union players Spain international rugby union players Rugby union number eights Spanish expatriate rugby union players Expatriate rugby union players in New Zealand Spanish expatriate sportspeople in New Zealand 1999 Rugby World Cup players People from Baix Llobregat Sportspeople from the Province of Barcelona UE Santboiana players {{Spain-rugbyunion-bio-stub