“And let the square be filled…” | Relief

Villanueva de la Cañada.- It’s midday in Villanueva de la Cañada and it’s pouring like in Manchester. Climate agreed with Rodrigo Hernandez. Just like the world of football, which a few hours ago made him the new winner of the Ballon d’Or. Here, at the doors of the Santiago Apostol stadium, there is absolutely no one: at noon, the children from the team. different categories for training. Rodri was once among them. On the field shown below this paragraph, formerly dirt but now covered with artificial grass, the thinnest Rodri began to pave the long path that on Monday at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris led to his coronation as best football player on the planet.

“Who was going to tell us,” smiles Oscar, a neighbor who passes within two inches of the venue and claims to have known the winner’s family “all my life.” Rodri is the pride of Villanueva, a town of about 23,000 people located 30 minutes by car from Madrid. which, next to the Manchester City midfield, boasts a water park that enlivens the summer and the European Space Agency (ESA) Center of Scientific Excellence, the world headquarters for astrophysics and solar system exploration missions. Rodri had already risen to the clouds.

In the Santiago Apostol complex – patron of the city – which, in addition to a football field, includes an indoor swimming pool, padel tennis courts and a gym, we are greeted by the Sports Councilor Villanueva de la Cañada, Nacho Gonzalez, who points to the grass and admits that he misses football. “I spent my whole life here, but I left it with the Department,” he tells us between laughs. Before moving to Rayo Majadahonda, Rodri competed in the categories up to Benjamin and Benjamin.. His brother Gonzalo played for the club just a few years ago.

“I can imagine what his parents and brother are like; I saw him play here when he was five or six years old. He was already going to buy crack, but since he was so small…”– explains Martin, another resident of the city. Height never helped Rodri as a child: the growth spurt that turned him into a 190cm big man hit him late, and many claim Atlético dropped him in 2013 due to his short stature. The municipality then watched as he rebelled in Villarrealhis successful return to Athleticsignature for Manchester City and the collective achievements (champions with a goal in the final, European Cup…) that led to his individual glory. The U19 European Championship, which he won in 2015 with De la Fuente, Unai Simon, Mikel Merino, Ceballos and Asensio, was the first event to paralyze the streets.

“We are trying to organize something,” warns Nacho Gonzalez. It’s still unclear what, but something big:”I want it to be on a football field or better yet, the town square to be filled as it is at a height so people can talk and show off the Ballon d’Or.“, he assures. Although his plans go a little further: wants the football stadium to be called Rodrigo Hernandez Stadiumon the territory of the Santiago Apostol complex itself, and thus honor the memory of other athletes of the city. “For example, let the pool be called Ana Carvajalwho represented Spain in ski jumping at the Olympic Games, or that the fencing hall is named after Lucia Martin Portugueswho was also in Paris,” he explains.

Always up to date with the club

Rodrigo never left the avenues where he was born and took his first steps. Those who know him say that He suffers when the busyness of his calendar prevents him from returning to Madrid often (“he doesn’t like to spend long periods of time without coming”). and that, despite living comfortably in the tranquility of Manchester, the distance is sometimes oppressive: “You must encourage it; it’s normal that he can travel a couple of times a year, no more.” His family and friends still live in Villanueva.. Now, with an unfortunate cruciate ligament injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season, he takes advantage of the misfortune to make up for lost time and leans on the shoulders of his parents, his girlfriend Laura or his representative Pablo to overcome the difficulties. the biggest obstacle the ball had ever challenged him with. He dedicated his speech at the Ballon d’Or to them. Dr. Leyes operated on him at the Olimpia Clinic on September 27 (under the Four Towers, on the territory of the old Real Madrid sports complex), and since then he has continued to recover. process.

His connection to home did not need strengthening in any case. Rhodri is still aware of everything. Absolutely everything: Last year he was repeatedly interested in the results of Cadet A Villanueva. (he spent some time with the guys at the beginning of the season and was captivated by their spirit) and He even activated phone alerts to get the results. the club where he played. “He has a special affection for the club,” says president Mateo Arvicet.

In fact, their connection goes further. He usually organizes video calls from Manchester with the organization’s lower-tier teams.from children to young people to share their experiences with them, spread the advice learned from almost 400 professional games and encourage them to never give up on their studies. And, no matter who says it, he sets an example (He flew to Castellon to take his business administration and management exams while earning millions in England.), young people usually pay attention to him. At his first press conference with Manchester City, having recently arrived in town, He surprised all the journalists with his level of English and his American accent that gave him away.: That summer he spent on the other side of the Atlantic studying the language.

The passage of time, success and training changed his character; from being characterized as a “not very talkative” kid at Kolbe, a private Catholic school where he excelled in his grades since elementary school, to now becoming known as a prankster and leader. One of his greatest specialties is celebrity impersonations, which he puts into practice whenever he gets the chance.. Yesterday, Monday, Villanueva was again present at his final ascension into heaven with glassy eyes. “Our old neighbor was a Ballon d’Or winner! “He is the best example for children,” concludes Mateo.