The legacy of Pablo Ráez at La Rosaleda
Today, 25th February, marks five years since a true example of overcoming adversity, fight and a love for life passed away. To remember the legacy that Pablo Ráez left us, his documentary was broadcast in two screenings in La Rosaleda’s press room.
On 25th February 2017, a legacy began that is now five years old. On that day, Pablo Ráez left us, having lost his fight with leukaemia at just 20 years of age. Nothing you could write could come close to defining such an example of overcoming adversity and a love for life. His story went viral urging for bone marrow donation through social media.
Pablo Ráez was closely linked to Málaga CF in the final stage of his fight, visiting La Rosaleda on numerous occasions, planting a seed that was picked up by the MCF Foundation that remembers him every year at the #SiempreFuerte Awards.
To mark the fifth anniversary of his death, Málaga CF, via its Foundation, remembers the man and his significance in society, by broadcasting the ‘Siempre Fuerte’ documentary, ‘The story of Pablo Ráez’. The screenings were shown in the ‘Juan Cortés’ press room at La Rosaleda in two sessions.
The first was attended by representatives of two institutes and three NGOs in the city: IES La Rosaleda, IES Guadalmedina, Arrabal-AID, Mercader and AMDDA.
The second screening featured The Academy, with director Sergio Paulo Barbosa ‘Duda’ at the helm, accompanied by an Alevín and Cadete team as well as Málaga CF Femenino players. The head of the Academy shared with the young players the moment in which he met Pablo Ráez at La Rosaleda and how his fighting spirit impacted the team in the face of his illness.
Also present during the second screening were Pablo Ráez’s family and Mercedes García Paine, Regional Delegate for Education and Sports at the Junta de Andalucía.
During the hour and a half duration of the video, everyone was visibly moved and recognised Pablo Ráez's spirit in overcoming adversity, a fight that reached the entire Spanish population in his call for bone marrow donation and telling his story on social media. He said that you should never give up, always be happy and enjoy life without fear of death.
The MCF Foundation organised this emotional event, represented by its coordinator, Lucas Rodríguez, and Sebastián Fernández 'Basti' from the Social Department. “Pablo Ráez is an example of strength and overcoming adversity. He was closely linked to Málaga CF and the MCF Foundation, and we keep him very much in mind. Siempre Fuerte is part of our way of life, proof of this is the Siempre Fuerte Awards, which we do with the support of the family, and which are celebrating their fifth edition next month. We will always remember him and his legacy,” said Lucas Rodríguez.
Paco Ráez, Pablo’s father feels “very emotional and very grateful” remembering his son five years after the beginning of his legacy. “It’s wonderful how the message of solidarity and joy continues to permeate through the youth ranks. I am incredibly thankful and proud of Pablo, of the people who love him and Málaga CF”, he concluded.
For the Alevín coach, Jorge Pina, the fact his team is part of this reminder “is a great initiative as from a very young age they pick up those values of overcoming adversity, facing problems and, of course, not giving up.”
The Club's memory of Pablo Ráez, marking the first five years of his loss, will have its next instalment in the V Edition of the Siempre Fuerte Awards on 29th March, as we continue to remember who he was and everything he taught us.
Pablo, your legacy lives on!
#SiempreFuerte
