Málaga CF is once again beating to the rhythm of the province. In the symbolic closing of a season full of emotions, the club turns to the sweetest heart of the Axarquía to pay tribute to Sayalonga, meaning “long tunic” - the town of golden loquats, the light that springs among the mountains, and the streets that still hold the whisper of Al-Ándalus. As the initiative dictates, the town becomes the star of the official poster and the last armband that our captain will wear, a farewell full of history, flavour, and roots.
This Saturday 31st May at 18:30, during matchday 42 of LALIGA HYPERMOTION, Málaga CF will face Burgos CF at La Rosaleda, and Sayalonga will be the essence accompanying the team onto the pitch. The art of José Luis Puche, now inseparable from this project that unites football and culture, focuses this time on the loquats and the Moorish history of the town, to close the season with a work full of symbolism and tenderness.
Sayalonga, in the heart of the Axarquía region of Málaga, stretches along the hillside like a canvas of lime and terracotta. From its 359 meters of altitude, the village watches the sea in the distance and nestles among terraced orchards, where the loquat is king. Every May, its Loquat Festival, declared of Tourist Interest, proudly celebrates what this fruit represents: sweetness, effort, and a generous land.
Walking through Sayalonga is like travelling back in time. The Moorish layout of its streets, its stairways, and labyrinthine alleys bear witness to centuries of cultural blending. There stands the unique round cemetery, the only one of its kind in Spain, where death is understood as part of the natural circle of life. The Church of Santa Catalina and the Moorish Museum complete this map of identity, where every stone seems to tell a story.
Within its cuisine, the coastal town speaks the language of the countryside; fennel stew, pork loin in lard, migas with sardines, and loquat, transformed into liqueurs, preserves, or fresh desserts, which colours the table with shades of orange and the scent of spring. The pastries, a legacy of Arab culture, blend almonds, honey, and subtle spices, like an ancient echo that still sweetens the days.
And amidst so much flavour and memory, the brushstroke of José Luis Puche returns, bidding farewell this season with a sensitive and brilliant work. The loquat appears elevated, as a symbol of harvest and pride. The curves of the round cemetery emerge amid soft shadows, and the whitewashed streets blend with the warm light of the afternoon. On the last captain’s armband of the season, the tribute to a province that has walked hand in hand with Málaga CF match after match is completed. This Saturday, the armband will be more than just fabric and colour; it will be a farewell full of roots.