Madrid will never be the venue for the Oscar gala but what was experienced tonight at the Cibeles Palace is very close to the splendor that is staged every year at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, only with sports stars instead of the best actors on the planet. The red carpet that gave way to the beautiful Crystal Gallery of the Madrid venue, headquarters of the central event of the Laureus World Sports Award, was a hive of legends.
328 guests made up the most exclusive list in the world of sports. Usain Bolt, Tom Brady, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Boris Becker, Martina Navratilova, Michael Johnson, Edwin Moses, Miguel Indurain, Marc Márquez, Nadia Comaneci, Lindsey Vonn, Raúl González, Ruud Gullit, Cafú, Alessandro Del Piero … Just one of them would be enough to add polish to any sporting event. So the sum of all of them exponentially boosted media interest… and security.
Bonmatí, Djokovic and Bellingham are crowned at the sports Oscars
Because the police device was one of those that make an era, with dozens of troops from the operational subgroup of UPR (Prevention and Reaction Unit) and the Madrid Municipal Policewho established a fence around the Cibeles Palace that surprised passers-by who looked out at the emblematic square of the capital of Spain.
Being here is wonderful and Real Madrid is my second team. Now with City away, I think they are the favorites to win the Champions League
Usain Bolt
Only a privileged few were able to access the red carpet, where all the guests passed in an incessant drip of stars, which mixed to form a dazzling mosaic. Special mention for Usain Bolt, who, living up to his nickname, made a lightning trip to Madrid to attend the gala. The Jamaican, a master of public relations, made a iconic photo with Jude Bellingham in which both posed imitating the gesture with which the Englishman from Real Madrid celebrates his goals.
The most Real Madrid Bolt: hug with Bellingham… and wink at Mbappé
The world record holder in the 100 and 200 meters, retired in 2017, who also made the lightning bolt gesture that he popularized during his dazzling career, opted for Real Madrid in the Champions League: “Being here is wonderful and Real Madrid is my second team “Now with City away, I think they are the favorites to win the Champions League.” Bolt also took a question about Mbappé’s speed with the ball at his feet with humor: “Beat him in a sprint? Right now? Yes.”
A very Madrid table
Bellingham, by the way, who arrived accompanied by his parents Mark and Deniseshared a table with a self-confessed Real Madrid fan like Rafael Nadal. The Manacorí tennis player was in turn surrounded by his wife, Mery Perelloand his mother, Ana Maria Parera. Rafa melted into a hug with Novak Djokovic in one of the most emotional moments of the red carpet. The Serbian had previously greeted Carlos Alcarazwith whom he joked about how well the suit looked on him…
Alcaraz’s mistake when giving the Laureus to Bellingham… He forgot to give it to him!
It was much more daring the ‘look’ of Frenchman Patrice EvraManchester United legend, who wore a purple suit and looked some special Dragon Ball sneakers in what seemed an obvious tribute to its creator, AKira Toriyamarecently deceased.
It is very gratifying that Lucas Vázquez is called ‘Cafucas’ in my honor
Coffee
Jovial and smiling, as always, he appeared Coffee. The former Brazilian soccer player for Roma and Milan, among other teams, surprised everyone when he revealed that he feels flattered by a comparison that was more than justified in the last Clásico: “It is very gratifying that Lucas Vázquez is called ‘Cafucas’ in my honor”.
Cafú: “It is very gratifying that Lucas Vázquez is called ‘Cafucas'”
The athletic representation was carried out by Rodrigo de Paul and ‘Cholo’ Simeonewho took advantage of the situation to speak with a legend of Argentine sports like Hugo Portabest rugby player in the world in 1985. “We learned from your values,” the red and white coach told Porta, a member of the Laureus Awards Academy.
Greetings without colors
The gala was conducive to reunion so there were countless exchanges of greetings. Raúl González, who was classified as a ‘Mexican’ coach in the guide that explained the distribution of the guests at the different tables, there was an effusive hug with José Luis Martínez-Almeida. The mayor of the capital of Spain, a renowned athlete, also greeted Florentino Perez and chatted with him next to Isabel Diaz Ayusopresident of the Community of Madrid.
In short, a dream day that placed Madrid at the epicenter of world sport. The Laureus have grown exponentially since their creation and have become awards that recognize the universality of the efforts of the best athletes on the planet. Long live an admirable idea.
