The Vélez-Málaga City Council honours Rafita for his role in Málaga's promotion to La Liga

The Vélez-Málaga footballer Rafita was received this Monday by the Vélez-Málaga City Council in recognition of his contribution to the return of Málaga CF to La Liga, a feat achieved after eight years of absence.

The 22-year-old full-back, Rafael Garrido Hierro, better known as Rafita, was the protagonist of an emotional institutional event at the City Hall. The mayor, Jesús Lupiáñez, and the sports councillor, Manuel Gutiérrez, presented him with a commemorative plaque for his role in the promotion of Málaga CF to La Liga, a milestone that returns the blue-and-white entity to the elite of Spanish football.

A dream season for the Vélez-Málaga full-back

Born in Vélez-Málaga in 2004, Rafita made his debut with the Málaga first team on October 5, 2025 against Racing de Santander. In his first season as a professional, he played 33 matches and established himself as one of the revelations of the youth academy. His performance was key in the play-off phase that culminated in promotion, where he stood out for his defensive solidity and attacking incursions.

The young footballer, who trained in the lower categories of Puerto Malagueño, the Francisco Castejón School, and CD San Félix, joined the Málaga CF academy in the 2022/2023 season. After his time with the Juvenil A, he made the leap to Atlético Malagueño, with whom he achieved promotion to Segunda Federación before debuting with the first team.

A pride for the Vélez-Málaga academy

During the event, Mayor Jesús Lupiáñez highlighted the footballing tradition of the municipality:

Vélez-Málaga has a huge footballing tradition and Rafita joins the list of great footballers born in our municipality. It is a pride that local players carry the name of the city across the great stages of Spanish football.

Rafita, visibly moved, presented the mayor with a signed Málaga CF shirt as a token of gratitude. The footballer will thus join the select list of Vélez-Málaga players who have competed in La Liga, alongside names like Esteban Vigo, Fernando Hierro, and Javi Guerra.

The return to La Liga, a dream fulfilled

The promotion of Málaga CF to La Liga, achieved after eight years of absence, has been a reason for joy for the entire province. For Rafita, the milestone has a special flavour:

It is a dream come true. I have worked my whole life for this and being able to do it at my hometown club is incredible.

Next season, the Vélez-Málaga full-back will have the opportunity to compete against the best players in the country, in a challenge that excites the Málaga fans.

The Vélez-Málaga City Council has thus wanted to recognise the effort and dedication of a young man who, from the academy, has managed to reach the elite. For the province's fans, Rafita is an example that local talent can shine on the grand stages. Next season, Málaga CF will return to compete in La Liga Santander, and Rafita will be one of those tasked with defending the blue-and-white shield.