The third edition of Málaga CF’s ‘Academy of Values’ featured some top-class ambassadors: Juan Francisco Funes and Francis Bravo, the coach and second coach of Atlético Malagueño, respectively; and Francisco Lupiáñez ‘Capote’, technical secretary of the Club’s sports department, headed by Manolo Gaspar.
Via Zoom, the players from Málaga CF’s ‘juvenil’ squads, accompanied by their families, listened intently to what the entity’s three representatives had to say. In addition, Manuel Espiritusanto, head of Marketing at Pinturas Andalucía represented the sponsoring company of the event.
Due to the current stage the young players are at, Funes was clear about the future of the young footballers: “Education is the only way. Many times it’s said that you have to study in case you don’t become a professional. Yet the reality is that there isn’t room for everyone, only 2% will reach the elite. Education is also important for those who do make it. More than a necessity, education is an obligation”. The Atlético Malagueño coach referred to the case of one of the MCF Academy players, which perfectly reflects the importance of education, and the message he wants to convey: “I was thrilled when Andrés (Caro) told us he wanted to study Medicine. The first thing that came to mind was Juan Carlos (Pérez-Frías), our doctor”.
Bravo talked about the trends adopted due to the current lifestyle: “It’s not easy as we’re living in a world where things are moving faster all the time. We want to achieve our objectives quicker than ever and think that if we reach a certain age and haven’t accomplished a goal then we’ve failed. That’s not the case. It’s about the long-term, working hard every day. We must be patient, but consistent”. In addition, as a former Málaga CF player, he stressed the importance of education to manage money earned and keep your feet on the ground.
Lastly, Capote talked about his tough personal experience. How he thought he had everything figured out and was looking forward to a brilliant future as a professional player. But everything suddenly changed due to a health problem. In addition, he discussed some of the aspects most influenced by sports management: “Beyond the technical conditions and the characteristics of each of the players, we increasingly value the mental and personal aspect. Not just about being competitive on the pitch, but also competitive in the dressing room, in their behaviour and having a high degree of commitment. You can see it reflected in the Málaga CF first team, that hunger, enthusiasm, unity, humility and capacity for hard work and sacrifice. For us it’s crucial”.
Next Tuesday, another group of young players from our youth ranks, along with their parents, will have the chance to attend another class of Malaguista values. This will be the fourth of the five classes planned for this project, seeking personal growth in line with sports development, which is key to the future of the MCF Academy members.
