An illustrious member of the Malaguista Family, Javier Souviron presented his book “El niño que soñó con pisar La Rosaleda” (“The boy who dreamed of setting foot in La Rosaleda”) yesterday in the Club's 'Juan Cortés' press room.
It was a special day for Malaguismo where football combined with literature. La Rosaleda Stadium donned its finery to bring an end to November with an impressive representation of true legends of the Club over the years.
The reason, the presentation of the book “El niño que soñó con pisar La Rosaleda” defining 'the memories of a life at the service of Málaga' written by Javier Souviron, who was ATS and massage therapist for Málaga for more than two decades. With a prologue by sports journalist Dani Marín and historical images by photographer Mariano Pozo, Editorial Algorfa has published this book, now available in more than 200 bookstores for reservation or purchase.
With the collaboration of the MCF Foundation and Málaga CF, Souviron presented his book, accompanied by Marín and Andrés García, executive director of Algorfa who stated that he was “excited by the event”. Proceedings began with an emotional video in which legends not present 'in situ' such as Darío Silva, Dely Valdés, Roteta or Sandro, among others, had words of affection for Souviron.
“Today Malaguismo smiles the biggest smile,” commented MCF Foundation coordinator, Lucas Rodríguez, thanks to the endless cast of people from different eras of the Club who attended the event. In particular, those linked to the glorious stage of Joaquín Peiró's Málaga. Forevers like Movilla, De los Santos, Valcarce, Contreras, Quino, Rafa, Bravo, Josemi and Iznata. Not forgetting Dr Juan Carlos Pérez-Frías and physiotherapists Fernando Lacomba and Luis Barbado, as well as kit managers Juan Carlos Salcedo and Miguel Zambrana.
Other icons were also in attendance, such as Juan Carlos Añón, Fernando Peralta, 'Boquerón' Esteban, Antonio Álvarez and Santi Llorente, as well as the flagships of Blue and White women's football, Manolo Hernández Navarrete and Isa Guerrero. Referee Mario Melero and Roberto Gómez, son of Juanito, also attended.
Representing the Club’s executives were judicial administrator José María Muñoz, accompanied by advisers Abdullah Ben Barek, Francisco Martín Aguilar and José Antonio Ruiz Guerra, as well as sporting director Manolo Gaspar, and Basti from the MCF Foundation.
Javier Souviron gave “thanks to Málaga for the effort made for this presentation.Writing this book has been so therapeutic. Dani encouraged me to focus on experiences from my perspective of those years. Here I grew professionally and personally, and I was lucky to experience some brilliant times,” added Souviron, who had a few special words of remembrance for Antonio Benítez and Joaquín Peiró, “two coaches who inspired me,” and I’m “very proud to have belonged to this Club.”
Meanwhile, Dani Marín described the book as “an amazing journey through time. He has condensed such interesting memories into 19 chapters. They are his memories, and Javi has a remarkable memory.” Dani highlighted Souviron's kindness and loyalty, considering the book as “necessary” to “nourish the shield.” invoking the spirit of Peiró’s unforgettable uefo Málaga and the importance of the Malaguista family to football on “a great day for Málaga.”
There was also time to tell some anecdotes involving a novice Basti, the commitment of Pérez-Frías playing whilst injured or the support for women's football in a very different era from a Souviron who, in his own words, usually writes when traveling by plane or train.
Following the group photo in the 'Juan Cortés' room, a toast in the VIP area of La Rosaleda’s Tribuna Area and the traditional book signing put the finishing touch to this unforgettable afternoon.
