Cover of That Wasn’t in My Real Madrid Book.
Football clubs have an official history. It consists of facts, dates and a selection of epic moments that, over time, increase the magnitude of the achievement in question. One could say that the social mass of each unit accepts this amalgam as a shared history that most fans identify with. Alongside this, millions upon millions of stories of people embedding memories in their minds in which their team’s shield appears. The first visit to the stadium, making a debut on trips to an away game, a win that seemed impossible, a loss no one expected, or a moment in official history that is not adequately appreciated or explained. There are even hugs with strangers installed on the shelves of the Library of Memories.
In the memory of journalist Tomás Roncero there is room for the entire official history of Real Madrid and, fortunately, there is room for his personal relationship with Club Chamartín. In That wasn’t in my book about Real Madrid (Almuzara), Roncero reveals himself as he is – passionate, personable, loving, honest, sentimental and memorable – which, combined with his journalistic experience and talent, culminates in a book that a conveys pure madridismo.
Roncero starts the book off strong: with a chapter in which he explains and argues why he believes Franco helped Barcelona more than Real Madrid. He links them to a theory about English referees and the end of European hegemony from the first continental champions, Madrid. With the laying of the first stone begins a sentimental chronicle that expresses affection and admiration for the Santiago Bernabéu, respect for the footballers and for the institution, or what clings to the soul that bears the coat of arms of Madrid. It is also a book with lots – but lots – of information. Benefits of always being close to the sources and news of the team of your loved ones. It’s the Roncero universe.
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