JOSÉ CASTRO TO UNZUÉ: "WE ALL HAVE A PLACE TO SHINE IN LIFE, AND YOURS WAS SEVILLE AND SEVILLA"

Sevilla FC president, José Castro, also spoke at the ceremony to induct José Carlos Unzué into the Sevilla FC Hall of Fame. Castro, who formally inducted the goalkeeper, made clear just how deserved the honour is.

"Today at Sevilla FC, we make another step towards normality since the outbreak of the pandemic. We induct a new member into the club's Hall of Fame, the highest honour that a former player of ours can receive. As you all know, our Hall of Fame is very special within the club since we inaugurated it in 2009 with our unforgettable Juan Arza. That's why we are so happy to induct a new member into this esteemed group which makes us stand out in Spanish football and shows our determination to highlight the best of our past."

We're doubly happy because the latest member of our Hall of Fame is none other than Juan Carlos Unzué. 257 games defending our shirt, seven seasons at the club, some incredible performances. He was incredibly consistent and professional. So much so that Andrés Palop had to come around so we could enjoy a 'keeper of the calibre of Juan Carlos, and that's saying a lot. A lot of things have been said about Juan Carlos, and he deserves every one of them."

"How lucky we were, and how lucky you were, that Sevilla adopted you as one of its own"

He left Osasuna at a young age, where he didn't get the chance to cement himself in the team. He didn't have it easy either at Barcelona and Zubizarreta. But he landed in Nervión, in the summer of 1990, in an exchange for Nando. I think that everyone has a place to shine in this world... and as a player, Unzué's place was Sevilla. He could have shined in Pamplona, it could've been in Barcelona, maybe even in Madrid if Atlético had have signed you as they intended before you came to our beloved city and club... but is was here that you shined.

It had to be in Seville. That's why today is so special. How lucky we are that it worked out that way. And how lucky you are, too, that Sevilla adopted you as one of their own. You are one of our own. As a player we could talk about how competitive you were, how you overcame any difficulty, those marvellous years in the 90s where you became an idol for generations of Sevilla fans who wanted to fly like you to stop impossible shots. But we also have to speak about you, the person...

"Your smile makes the hair on our skin stand on end. You're giving us a true life lesson"

Surrounded by the incredible level of goalkeepers we have here today, it's appropriate to remember something you said about this position that you made your own. Where the opponent puts their foot, the goalkeeper puts his face. They've put their foot in on you, Juan Carlos, but you continue having the attitude of a goalkeeper. And you do it all with a smile that makes the hair on our skin stand on end ever since you were diagnosed with MNS in June 2020. You're giving us a true life lesson in overcoming.

You are a true emblem of hope and optimism. Life is worth living and that is what you are showing us, Juan Carlos. Not too long ago I heard you say that we must never stop being brave in life. Thank you for reminding us of that every single day. And, above all, thank you for doing it with that enchanting smile. Potentially no other Hall of Fame member has deserved it as much as you. Because if anyone embodies our anthem and motto of Never Surrender, it is you, Juan Carlos Unzué."