2023-11-10 23:22:00
Just go to the Gran Via to realize that Argentines, here, are increasingly more. Many come to visit, but many others work in a variety of jobs. Figures from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) confirm that 353,000 Argentines live in Spain. A figure that might reach half a million if it included those who arrive as tourists and then remain “undocumented” and those who enter with a European passport.
In this context of true flight from a country that is experiencing a crisis with no end in sight, two compatriots foundedon July 11, the Argentine Soccer Cluban initiative that connects with the creation, in our country, of Sportivo Italiano, in 1955 and with Club Deportivo Español, in 1956.
“In effect, we are inspired by the institutions that, more than half a century ago, the immigrants founded in the Argentina“, acknowledges Adrián Varela, who arrived in Spain in February 2022, almost at the same time as the other founder of Argentino de Fútbol, Gustavo Nomdedeu, who had arrived shortly following the pandemic.
Adrián Varela has vast experience in sports management. He was president of the Public Relations and International Relations commissions at River Plate during the administration of Rodolfo D’Onofrio and is currently dedicated to the management of sports entities in Spain. Gustavo Nomdedeu comes from marketing and and, in Madridworks as a management and finance consultant in SMEs.
Why does Spain now welcome us with open arms?
After having carried out the procedures before the Higher Sports Council (they did it once morest the clock to be able to play this season) they obtained approval for the Argentino de Fútbol to begin participate in the tournaments of the Community of Madrid. “We have two teams, the U-19, which plays in the Second Category, and the First, which plays in the Third Amateur Category, the initial category for new clubs,” adds Varela.
Another point in common with emigrants Spanish people o Italians is that they bet on Starting over. Instead of buying a place, a place left by another institution, they registered the two teams in the lowest categories. From there they compete in the Community of Madrid tournaments, a league made up of several groups, of 16 or 18 teams, divided by regions.
Two expatriates and the love for Argentine football
Of course, a club needs more than the passion of its founders. “For now, we rent a playing field in Alcalá de Henares and we run with all the expenses, which include everything from clothing to the payment of coaches, one of them is José “Chiqui” Garcia Sánchez, a Spaniard with a lot of experience in lower divisions, and even a Brazilian advisor, Mazinho Oliveira. But the idea is to search sponsors to continue growing,” they said.
Exodus of Argentines: it is estimated that in the last three years 100,000 families arrived in Spain
Although football is the axis around which the club’s main activity still revolves, its founders want it to be a true “meeting place.” Because the Argentine Soccer Club It can also be described as a small sample of a multicultural Spain. His team has Argentine players, of course, but also Spanish and Peruvian players.
Argentine Soccer Club in Madrid
Adrián imagines the club as an institution that will promote meeting of the Argentine communityfor now quite dispersed and communicated, above all, through countless armed groups on social networks, such as Instagram, where the Club already has more than 600 “fans.”
For the Financial Times, “Argentines choose to leave the country in search of opportunities”
“I hope that in a short time we will also be able to organize a roast o trick tournaments so that, really, the club functions as a meeting place for Argentines and anyone who wants to participate,” adds Adrián.
The truth is that the project is moving forward with the wind in its favor. With a strategic location in Alcalá de Henares, regarding 15 minutes from Madrid. More and more Argentines are arriving there to see their new team play in the ultra-modern La Garena Sports Space. As Adrián says, although many compatriots support Boca, River, Real Madrid or Atlético de Madrid, led by Cholo Simeone, having an “Argentine” team in Spain awakens an unprecedented passion.
The question is how the Spanish received the new club and Adrián’s response is forceful: “With surprise and pleasure. Because, “After winning the World Cup, our football is admired and welcomed.” Another truth demonstrated by Gran Vía, where you can get “light blue and white” items almost as if we were on Corrientes Avenue.
MM / Gi
1699660150
#nostalgic #immigrants #founded #Argentine #soccer #club #Madrid
