Málaga CF will face Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa on Monday 17th November on matchday 14 of LALIGA HYPERMOTION. The game kicks off at 20:30 at the Estadio Municipal Reino de León, where the captivating town of Yunquera will take centre stage in the match design and on the Blue and White captain’s armband.
In the heart of the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park lies Yunquera, a white village that has preserved the true essence of the Malagueña mountains. Its calm, whitewashed streets wind through orchards, olive groves, and springs that bring the landscape to life. From the Surgencia de Zarzalones springs the Río Grande, a natural gem that flows across much of the province before joining the Guadalhorce. This privileged setting makes the town a haven for the pinsapo, the park’s most iconic tree, which here thrives in the largest population in the world.
Its history, as fertile as its valleys, dates back to Roman times. Known then as Juncaria, “the meadow of reeds,” it served as a place for rest and agricultural work around the springs. Later, the Arabs improved water management, established orchards in the valleys of the Río Grande and Jorox, and fortified the village. In 1485, following the capture of Ronda, the Catholic Monarchs incorporated Yunquera into the Crown, allowing its Moorish residents to maintain their way of life in exchange for loyalty. During the War of Independence, the town became a symbol of resistance against Napoleonic troops.
Today, the town perfectly blends heritage and nature. Its historic centre, with narrow streets and whitewashed façades, rises toward the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, known as the “Cathedral of the Serranía.” The Watchtower, old mills, and fountains at every corner complete a scene that preserves the charm of inland Andalucía.
Nothing captures Yunquera’s charm better than its festivals. The Wine and Chestnut Fair celebrates two of its standout products, born from a land rich in varied climates and crops. Meanwhile, the Fair in honour of the Virgin of the Rosary and Saint Sebastian, the town’s patron saints, fills October with faith, music, and gratitude, as grape harvesters return to give thanks for the season’s yield.
José Luis Puche, with his unmistakable talent, has designed the captain’s armband and the match poster for the game against Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa. His art, infused with the essence of Málaga, turns each design into a tribute to our land.
The Costa del Sol artist has captured the soul of the Yunquera Guerrillera in this work, portraying its residents as lead figures brought to life to defend their land. It’s a symbolic recreation of Yunquera’s courage during the War of Independence, with the Watchtower standing as a symbol of resistance against the Napoleonic army.