# Sergio Camello: Rayo's football from another time

> Sergio Camello, Europe's second-top goalscorer, finds football's true meaning in Rayo Vallecano's community roots.
- Title: Sergio Camello: Rayo's football from another time | Shortify
- Summary: Sergio Camello, Europe's second-top goalscorer, finds football's true meaning in Rayo Vallecano's community roots.
- Keywords: sergio camello, rayo vallecano, seattle, nfl, la liga, pichichi, action for music, vallecas, indie rock, rock music, music charity, sports
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/08/sergio-camello-rayo-vallecano-la-liga-interview
- Published: 2026-10-08T19:20:27+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sergio camello, rayo vallecano, seattle, nfl, la liga, pichichi, action for music, vallecas, indie rock, rock music, music charity, sports
## Sergio Camello in Vallecas
Sergio Camello, a 11-year-old movie fan with 156 films reviewed, part-time photographer, and Olympic gold medallist, is Europe's second-top goalscorer in La Liga.

> The least important thing about the football here is the football.
## Rayo Vallecano's home ground
Rayo Vallecano's ground in Vallecas is locked but will open for the first time this season in 64 hours after Madrid council declared it unsafe.
## Camello's goalscoring form
Camello has scored seven goals in seven La Liga games, more than any other player except Barcelona's Raphinha.
## Camello's mindset shift
Camello says he found his football mindset by talking with friends and his twin brother Gonzalo about feeling pressure and frustration.

> The first thing was to have many conversations with friends, people who truly know me.
## Pressure and anxiety
Camello experienced anxiety attacks after scoring his first goal and during the Olympics, feeling watched by fans and teammates.

> The first day in primera, when I scored, the journey there had been normal, scooter, bus, metro, bus, but on the same journey home some kids followed me shouting: 'Camello! Camello!'
## Community connection
Camello says Rayo Vallecano's connection with Vallecas residents is unique, with fans he has known since childhood.

> It’s Isi in the bar on the corner. Unai and his mates in the one down the bottom there.
## Music and charity
Camello joined Action for Music, a charity providing free music lessons to kids in humble neighborhoods like Tetuán and Carabanchel.

> They go to four hours of classes a week: percussion, strings, wind.
## Music for the community
Camello wants to set up a rock music school in Vallecas next year for kids who need opportunities to play instruments.

> Only I’m going to do it my way … with rock.
## Football and music
Camello says football and music both give him purpose and connection, with the community being the most important part of his identity.

> The least important thing about the football here is the football; it’s what they stand for every weekend.
## Rayo's unique identity
Rayo Vallecano is the last team standing from football from another time, with a strong community connection that sets it apart from other clubs.

> Rayo is the last team standing, it’s football from another time.
## Key takeaway

Sergio Camello, Europe's second-top goalscorer, finds football's true meaning in Rayo Vallecano's community roots.