Cardboard Alexia Putellas at Junior Eurovision depicts paradigm shift in Spanish football | Relief
Fifteen seconds of Junior Eurovision 2024 were enough to understand a new dimension of women’s football. and demonstrate that his progress in society cannot be stopped. This year’s grand gala will take place in Spain, specifically at the Caja Mágica in Madrid, and will include a brief but meaningful tribute to our footballers. A tribute that can even be called gratuitous.It is also a sign that the development of this sport is no longer focused only on specific successes, but is present in the everyday life of society.
Ruth Lorenzo and Mark Cloete, two of the gala’s presenters, gave speeches. (in English as stated in the protocol) about Spanish customs which sometimes become clichés in the eyes of the rest of Europe. Always, of course, in a friendly tone. She said: “Many people think that we Spaniards are always taking naps, dancing flamenco, playing football, eating paella – it’s a series of clichés.”
He responds with grace: “I have to admit, I can’t say no to paella.” Then Melanie Garcia, the youngest of the riders, appears on stage, wearing a Spain jersey. declare that they can talk about football without any problems, that it represents one of the hallmarks of our country.
He did it like this: “Guys, this is true. We have two of the best players in history: Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas.“. After his announcement, the audience burst into applause, going crazy, a good way to encourage the stage to have a party before France’s performance. The television broadcast was also launched directly about a fan who entered the court with a cardboard cutout of Alexia Putellas.
When the audience was already untied, the presenters encouraged them to continue clapping and turn Junior Eurovision into a party for another year: “Let the people of Spain make some noise. They can do it better. Scream of the Magic Box. Come on, Magic Box noise“Those present responded en masse.
As well as using women’s football to communicate Spain’s brand and help raise awareness, it was an act laden with symbolism. Melanie García, in a year when Spain won the European Championships and Olympic gold in the men’s category and did not even win a medal at the Games in the women’s category, decided to reflect the greatness of Putellas and Bonmati over Nico Williams, Yamal or Rodri.new Ballon d’Or winner.
A way to demonstrate that they are already on the same level as they are in the media, and that, above all, they are icons for young people. who filled the Caja Mágica to enjoy the Eurovision Song Contest for Kids. He might even lay claim only to Aitana Bonmati for her Ballon d’Or.but it also contains Alexia Putellas’s name, and the cardboard “sculpture” belonged to her, not her partner.
Irrefutable proof that this tribute to our great athletes is not related to any specific event and is not related to anything specific or current. This is just a way to introduce Spain as a country: siesta, paella, football in general and our women’s football in particular.