The coach of Málaga CF, Juan Francisco Funes, delivered the proclamation for the Feria de Málaga this Saturday at the Real Cortijo de Torres, accompanied by players Joaquín Muñoz, Izan Merino, and David Larrubia, along with delegate Raúl Iznata. The event concluded with a performance by Miriam Sae.
The Real Cortijo de Torres hosted the official proclamation of the Feria de Málaga this Saturday, delivered by Málaga CF coach Juan Francisco Funes. The Granada-born coach took to the stage shortly after 21:00, welcomed by applause and chants from a sea of blue and white shirts that filled the venue.
Funes began his speech with a family anecdote that reflects his bond with the city. Every time he descends Las Pedrizas with his wife and daughter, his friends from Granada joke that “the people from Loja are coming”; but when they ascend, his family comments that “the anchovies are coming.” The coach confessed that he does not know when they stopped being one to become the other, but that Málaga opened its doors to them and ended up being their home.
The proclamation included a surprise: the coach was joined by footballers Joaquín Muñoz, Izan Merino, and David Larrubia, as well as club delegate Raúl Iznata, to represent different values of the city. Each focused on a particular aspect: Merino highlighted the faith and devotions of Málaga; Joaquín spoke of the sea as a school of humility and effort; Iznata underscored the knowledge and growth of Teatinos; and Larrubia represented joy with a joke that drew laughter.
“When Spain wins the World Cup, they tell us that we will start playing later. This weekend, the First Division has started, but we are not playing this weekend, and I thought I was going to be left out of the squad. Look where we are going that I have made the best squad of my life today, the squad for the fair,” Funes joked to the audience.
The mayor of Málaga, Francisco de la Torre, described the gathering as a “success” due to the large number of attendees. Funes also wanted to pay tribute to families and fans, whom he called “the essentials,” and introduced the last surprise of the night: singer Miriam Sae, partner of Dani Lorenzo, who performed a song dedicated to Málaga, reminding everyone that this city is “a paradise.”
The affection between Málaga CF fans and Funes was palpable throughout the event. The coach, who had already hinted at his intention to offer an experience “that will be remembered fondly,” closed the proclamation with a message of unity: “Teams that are written in capital letters are not built only with eleven players; they are built when everyone pushes in the same direction.”
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