The Club

PABLO BLANCO: 'IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO QUANTIFY THE JOY I'M FEELING RIGHT NOW'

22/11/2018

In a jam-packed Director's Lounge in the Sánchez-Pizjuán, Pablo Blanco was admitted into Sevilla FC's Hall of Fame after many tributes and kind words from those who have marked his personal and professional life. His hug with Bertoni and the words he dedicated to Roberto Alés were some of the main moments of the ceremony

'It's impossible to quantify the joy I'm feeling right now.' There was no other way to end such an emotional and special day which took place in the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán's Director's Lounge with Pablo Blanco, the current Director of the Academy, being admitted into Sevilla FC's Hall of Fame, celebrating his fifty years with the Nervión club. With more than 400 games played for Sevilla FC, only bettered by one of his best discoveries, Jesús Navas, Pablo Blanco took part in the most emotional and historic day of his time with the club. Speaking after his admission, Blanco skipped formalities and spoke directly to an emotional Roberto Alés: 'Without you, president, we wouldn't even be here, so thank you.'

José Antonio Sánchez Araujo, who led the tribute to Blanco, began his speech by paying tribute to the recently passed-away Antonio Valero, the fifth member of Sevilla FC's Hall of Fame. After some emotional applause, he began to speak about the man of the hour: 'Today, Pablo, your Sevilla FC places you right at the top, you have never accepted anything less and always stayed loyal to your values and principles.' After the presentation, it was his children's turn to speak, reading a card to their father.'

'We're annoyed we never got to see you play, but we'll make do with what everyone tells us about you as a player'

'The day has come when your dedication to your lifelong club has received the highest reward. Sevilla FC is our life. We're proud to witness you receiving this award, to see you here in the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. You have been, are, and always will be a one-club man. We'll always be annoyed we never got to see you play, but we'll make do with what everyone tells us about you as a player, about how you had the better of Cruyff on that day,' emotionally read out his son Pablo, who finished the tribute adding 'my father hides his nerves before Sevilla's matches perfectly. That's our day-to-day. There aren't enough words to thank you for what you do as a father. Your values have taught us to never give up and that we can be anything we want to be. You always told us to be humble, empathetic, sensitive and to never forget from where we came.'

The surprises for a very emotional Pablo Blanco didn't stop there, who, after barely managing to keep the tears at bay after his children's words, received a very special visit: Daniel Bertoni, a world champion with Argentina, wanted to be there for the tribute to his friend, with both coming together for a beloved hug: 'Friendship lasts forever, Pablo.'

'Friendship lasts forever, Pablo'

Amongst the videos of former teammates, opponents and world champions, the president of the RFAF, Eduardo Herrera, awarded Blanco the golden insignia of the federation: 'Pablo Blanco is a special person for a special club. Sevilla's official anthem, that you should never give up, is exactly what Pablo represents. Every player who is starting to play football would love to have a coach like him. Pablo flies the flag for every sporting value. He loves coaching youth football and he's always available for whoever needs his help.'

With Pablo Blanco's words, skipping protocol by saying those kind words to Roberto Alés, the ceremony to commemorate Pablo Blanco in Sevilla FC's Hall of Fame came to an end. The packed-out Director's Lounge has rarely been so full, a clear sign of the love that Blanco has earned throughout his career on and off the pitch.