El Rayo pays an emotional tribute to Carlos Matallanas

Rayo Vallecano wanted to pay an emotional tribute to Carlos Matallanas, former soccer player, journalist, soccer analyst and partner of AS, died this week as a result of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) against which he had spent years of tireless fight. Because that's how he was, a fireproof fighter, who has given visibility to a disease of which, according to the Spanish Society of Neurology, three new cases are diagnosed every day.

Before Rayo-Zaragoza started, a minute of silence was observed on his behalf. However, that was not the only gesture seen this Friday at the Vallecas Stadium to pay tribute to him. The franjirrojos players jumped onto the pitch carrying a banner, with an image of him, smiling, and a phrase that read: “Thank you Carlos, example of life and struggle to the end.”

This was not the first reaction of the Madrid entity for the loss of Carlos. Already last Tuesday, when the news of his goodbye broke, he posted a tweet with his condolences: “Today is a very sad day. A magnificent person leaves, always example of how to face life. A FIGHTER with capital letters, you fought it to the end. Thank you Carlos with all my heart for the immense example that you leave us. A strong and heartfelt hug for your whole family. D.E.P”.

And is that His departure has not only moved the world of football and journalism, but also many anonymous people that they felt part of its history. The one that he told us through his books' My battle against ALS 'and the most recent' Life is a game. Strategy for Mario and Blanca '. That for which he received tributes from his clubs and other sports entities, such as the CSD, which awarded him the Royal Order of Merit for Deportivo. A legacy that we can all perpetuate through FUNDELA, the foundation that fights against this disease and for which he became an ambassador. Because the game continues …