The Málaga Club de Fútbol Museum & Tour isn’t just a museum. It is Blue and White magic, the importance of respect for Malaguista history, a treasure of incalculable value. The pride of La Rosaleda. The first museum created by an Andalusian football club has been an exemplary muse of the many that have been created since then.
If the players are the muscle of Málaga Club de Fútbol, the pitch is the lungs and the fans our heart, we need to understand that our memory is this Museum. A memory that strives to preserve the past to become another tool in our present fight.
Teachers of more than 4,000 students from schools not just in Málaga, but around Spain and across the world, choose us every year to immerse the students in the history of football of our city.
Museum classics
A social, cultural, sports and educational offering that has continued to grow over the past 10 years. A walk through history in which we can enjoy objects dating back to the 20s, such as trophies of the time, Luis Pellicer’s shirt from the 60s, or something more current and highly emotional for the Club, such as Don Antonio Benítez’s boots.
Benítez was a player, coach and is the current adviser for Málaga Club de Fútbol. He retired in 1976, giving his boots with which he played his last match as a Malaguista to our museum. This week we are honouring this “living legend” as he celebrates his 78th birthday today.
The golden age
The Museum also reminds us of a time of galactic signings when Málaga surprised the world with its sporting successes and journey through Europe in the UEFA Champions League with Pellegrini at the helm (2012/13 season). Dedicated to these great stars of our football, this area of our Museum was inaugurated in 2013. One of these footballing greats, Ruud van Nistelrooy gifted the Club an emotional farewell letter in his own handwriting. A letter that is housed among the more human trophies in this exhibition.
In addition, in 2017, the “Malaguistas con la Roja” showcase was inaugurated, displaying the shirts of the Malaguista players who were called-up by the Spanish national team to represent our country in recent years.
Among them is the shirt of the mighty Isco Alarcón who, despite his young age, was one of the great goal-scorers of this golden age in the Champions League.
Femenino arrives at the Museum
Also in 2017, the Museum took a giant step forward in the recognition of women in football, such as the great success of Club Atlético Málaga with their triple (League, Copa de la Rein and Supercopa). Twenty years later, the players were able to enjoy this well-deserved tribute that remains on display at La Rosaleda’s Museum.
The great work of the Foundation
We cannot bring an end to this decade of memories without making reference to the three works of art within this exhibition, graphic proof of the great social work undertaken by the Málaga Club de Fútbol Foundation.
Jaime Díaz Rittwaguen, Antonio Montiel and José Luis Puche are the three artists who created these pieces, canvases that became prizes for the three years of the solidarity awards known as the “Siempre Fuerte Awards”. Their works will remain in our Museum to remember the inspiration behind them, the late Malagueño, Pablo Ráez.
Evolution of the route of the La Rosaleda Tour
The visit to the Blue and White Museum doesn’t end in the exhibition hall. The tour allows us to get to know La Rosaleda Stadium in its entirety. Another attraction that makes the Museum & Tour a must-see for all visitors to our city.
The tour has evolved a great deal following the complete renovation of the press room and today we can boast of having one of the most modern, fully equipped press rooms of all stadiums in the First and Second Divisions. In addition, our 3D-designed dressing room tunnel that leads us to discover all the secrets of the local dressing room, is the icing on the cake. A cake, or birthday cake, that young fans can enjoy at La Rosaleda Stadium whilst they visit, as the Museum & Tour also has a “party mode” for groups of young Malaguistas who want to celebrate their birthday at our facilities.
Taking all this into account, if over the last decade you haven’t found the perfect excuse to visit, then we hope the surprises to be announced by the Club in the coming days will convince you. Malaguista, you are in our group of friends. We want to celebrate with you.
Happy 10th anniversary, to La Rosaleda’s Museum & Tour!
