more kids’ stuff

Esteban Granero (hope he’s okay!) recently posted this photo on Instagram from the 1997-98 season, which is one I had seen before and wrote about here.  But what I didn’t realize back then was that right next to the mini Madrid captain in the Kelme kit (who captured all my attention with how adorable he is) is el gordito – Antonio Adán, or “the cat of Mejorada,” according to Esteban.
Speaking of Esteban, he told “El Partido de las 12” several days ago that he has blind faith in Real Madrid, since according to him, “it continues to be the best team with the best squad and has the best coach” and “it’s still possible to win everything because you never know.”  He added that lots of madridistas go up to him in London and show him affection, and that he was surprised by Iker’s benching, since everyone knows that Iker is a quality goalkeeper, but that Antonio is a great goalkeeper, and could start for any team in Spain, and “he’s as madridista as me.”  Esteban also showed Iker support with this tweet.  I miss him a lot!

As for el gordito (I want to pinch those chubby cheeks!), well, the IV edition of his “Fútbol 7 Torneo Mejorada del Campo” was held this Saturday, with proceeds benefiting the Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome Association.  Canillas, Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla, Real Madrid, Mejorada del Campo, Atlético, Getafe and Villarreal were the clubs sending teams, and Sevilla emerged as the winners at the end of the day (Madrid finished fifth).  Antonio was there to cheer on his team and Real Madrid, sign autographs and hand out the trophy, although sadly this year he wasn’t accompanied by any teammates (again, I miss Esteban – and his Piratas too!).

As I said in his advent calendar post, I love that Antonio does things like this for kids.

And speaking of kids, here are two recent moments involving kids – Raúl Albiol’s cute daughters Azahara and Alma, who had to amuse themselves as their father signed autographs in an El Corte Inglés over the Christmas holiday, and Iker being all adorable with kids during his visits to two hospitals in Móstoles on Jan. 3.  He told one girl that she had beautiful eyes, while another baby seemed to really enjoy being held by a saint.  He’s going to be a great dad!

As for our other kids, they lost to our old nemesis Alcorcón 2-3 in their first game 0f 2013, with Jesé and Denis scoring our goals, and are currently in 16th place in the second division.  I’m blaming Madrid’s web site for this loss, because just days ago, they published an article boasting about how Castilla never loses when Denis scores (12 wins and two ties over two years).  Well, end of streak.

In good kiddie news, Diego Llorente was called up by José Mourinho for this upcoming game against Real Sociedad, as injuries and suspensions meant that we only have four able-bodied defenders available.  It didn’t come as much of a surprise, as he has been training with the first team since it returned from the winter break.  He’s not the Llorente I want playing for Madrid, but hopefully he will get a chance to debut.  Diego is one of RMC’s starting centerbacks, and he can also play as a rightback.  He joined Madrid as nine-year-old in 2002, and has steadily progressed through all of the teams in the cantera.  This is his 11th season with Real Madrid.  Diego is from Leganés, his idol is Sergio Ramos and he’s currently in his second year of an education degree.

And since this whole post is about kids, here was my letter to the Reyes Magos.

Dear Reyes Magos,

I have behaved very well this year, and so please bring me La Décima, and if possible, La Liga.  If you want to throw in the Copa del Rey as well, I won’t complain.  And peace, love and joy for everyone.

Sincerely, unamadridista.