Madrid, Nov 25 (EFE).- This year’s European and Olympic champion teams, along with players such as Dani Carvajal, Jude Bellingham and the Olympic, world and European badminton champion Carolina Marín, were honored this Monday at the third gala of the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE).
The union presented its distinctions in the Plaza de Las Ventas in Madrid, where it also recognized the best players of last season in the highest categories, in an event in which its president, David Aganzo, highlighted the quality of sport and football Spanish.
“We have very good athletes, but we have to fight to improve football and be an example of transparency, equality and that we are united to look out for them, so that equality is real and not a photo. All of us who are in institutions we have to fight for our football and we must be united in many circumstances. United we are stronger,” he stated.
Former national coach José Antonio Camacho presented the award for sporting career to the senior team that won the German Euro 2024, represented by Miguel Ángel España and Carlos Cruz, goalkeeper and physical trainers, respectively, while Iker Casillas presented the distinction to team that won gold at the Paris 2024 Games. Sergio Camello, scorer of two goals in the Paris final against France on stage, along with Carlos Rivera, physical trainer, and Alberto de la Fuente, analyst, from the team picked him up.
The champion of Europe with Spain and of the League and the Champions League with Real Madrid Dani Carvajal, absent from the gala and recovering from a serious knee injury, thanked the Valores AFE award through a video, for being a perfect representative of the values of sport, an exemplary footballer and model for the new generations.
Also in the process of recovering from her third cruciate ligament tear, Carolina Marín collected from the hands of the president of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE), Alejandro Blanco, the Manuel Esteo award for her career and spirit of improvement and for being a source of inspiration and transmitter of values.
“In April 2026, Spain will host the European Championship and I hope it will be in Huelva, because I would like to reappear and if it is my final touch, let it be in my home, in my land, with my people. I don’t know if it will be my full stop, we’ll see,” said the Huelva native, who said that her recovery is going well and joked because she can now wear heels.
Raúl García, former Osasuna, Atlético de Madrid and Athletic Club player, who retired at the end of last season, was also awarded for his career at the ceremony, in which Madrid player Jude Bellingham and Barcelona’s Norwegian forward Caroline Graham Hansen thanked a video the award for best players.
The president of LaLiga, Javier Tebas, presented the award for the best LaLiga Hypermotion player to Gerard Fernández “Peque”, current Sevilla striker, author of 28 goals with Racing de Santander, before non-professional footballers of all categories enjoyed also the recognition of the union, together with the Reina Sofía Foundation, which collected its award from the general director of Sports, Fernando Molinero. EFE
