Albacete mayor buzzing as Barça visit follows Madrid triumph: 'Belmonte always there in good times and bad'
Manuel Serrano reflects on what Copa del Rey clashes against Spain's giants mean for Albacete beyond football, highlighting the club's impact on city identity and pride.
Albacete’s mayor is still riding high after his club’s stunning Copa del Rey victory over Real Madrid, with Barcelona next to visit the Carlos Belmonte in a dream cup draw that has the entire city walking on air.
‘More than just football’
Mayor Manuel Serrano couldn’t hide his excitement as he visited MARCA’s offices ahead of Sunday’s massive cup tie against Barcelona. For him, these matches transcend mere sporting events - they’re about city identity, pride, and projection on the national stage.
“The football moves masses in a city that has had a team in the Primera División on several occasions,” Serrano explained, highlighting how sporting achievement boosts not just athletic confidence but belief in the city’s potential to overcome any challenge.
The mayor was particularly proud of how the club’s recent giant-killing of Real Madrid has affected Albacete’s citizens:
- “Many people told me it should’ve been declared a local holiday” after the Madrid victory
- The club has approximately 11,500 season ticket holders - representing about 7% of the city’s 175,000 population
- The Carlos Belmonte stadium holds 17,525 - exactly 10% of Albacete’s registered population
Global recognition through football
What’s clear from Serrano’s comments is how football has put Albacete on the map internationally. He shared a remarkable story about meeting South American couples during a trip to Rome with the bishop:
“When they heard we were from Albacete, they knew the city because of football. I don’t know if they were from Luis Gabelo Conejo’s or Zalazar’s country, but they knew Albacete through the club.”
The Iniesta connection
With Barcelona visiting, thoughts naturally turn to Andrés Iniesta, Albacete’s most famous footballing son. The mayor mentioned the sculpture on Avenida de España near the stadium capturing Iniesta’s iconic striking pose from his World Cup-winning goal in South Africa.
Passionate support
What makes Albacete special, according to Serrano, is the unwavering support regardless of circumstances. “It’s not just a flash in the pan - it’s a fanbase that’s always been there, through thick and thin,” he noted.
With Barcelona unlikely to risk playing a weakened team after Madrid’s cup exit, Sunday promises another electric atmosphere at the Carlos Belmonte. For this small city in Castilla-La Mancha, it’s another chance to shine on the big stage and create more unforgettable memories.