From the Guardian · · 1m 50s
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.
In brief
Sergio Camello, Europe's second-top goalscorer, finds football's true meaning in Rayo Vallecano's community roots. Sergio Camello, Europe's second-top goalscorer, finds football's true meaning in Rayo Vallecano's community roots. Originally reported by the Guardian.
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.”
In short
Sergio Camello, Europe's second-top goalscorer, finds football's true meaning in Rayo Vallecano's community roots.
