The feeling of belonging or sense of belonging is the subjective identification that a person experiences with a group, organisation or community, where he feels comfortable, welcome and/or accepted. In short, this concept refers to the place where one feels one belongs to.
This feeling of belonging was intrinsic to the sport of yesteryear. The ‘one club man’ is the first thing we think of when we talk about belonging. Puyol at Barça, Maldini or Baresi at Milan, Julen Guerrero at Athletic or Francesco Totti at Roma are some examples of footballers who remained linked to their colours throughout their sporting careers.
Nowadays, the concept of ‘one club man’ is in complete disuse. Only Koke comes to mind as a player who could be part of this select club. Money (mainly), competing at a higher level or getting to know new cultures are reasons that cause players to seek, at least once in their careers, a change of scenery.
In spite of that, there are footballers who, although at one point in their careers they decided to leave a club, also stand out because of this feeling of belonging. The case for which I am writing this is Iago Aspas and his eternal love story with Celta de Vigo.
Iago Aspas, Vigo’s favourite son:
Iago Aspas, who turned 36 the 1st of August, is one of those footballers who are part of the club’s badge. Out of Moaña, the player joined Celta‘s youth academy at the age of eight. That was the moment when the love story between Iago and Celta started.
To find its first public display we have to go back to 1998. At that time, the TVG (Galician Television) interviewed an 11 year old player of Celta’s academy. One of the questions was the following: “Tell me something you dream about in five or ten years“. The boy, in an enthusiastic and innocent way, had a clear answer: “Playing for Celta, with the first squad“. He also said that he wanted to score a “stunning goal”, but always for Celta.
That boy, who displayed his fantasy with immense illusion, was Iago Aspas. After 25 years, that interview always brings a smile to the face of every Celta fan who has seen how that youngster has become the best footballer in the history of the club.
Since his debut in 2008, with spells at Liverpool and Sevilla, Iago Aspas has always demonstrated his unabashed passion for Celta. The story of a dream come true with 196 goals that credit him as the top scorer of the club of his life.
Several exhibitions of the striker from Mojácar will forever remain in the memories of Celta fans. One of them is his debut in Balaídos. It was June 2009 and Celta were playing against Alavés. A young Iago Aspas would score both of the team’s goals to certify its salvation. At that moment ‘El Príncipe de las Bateas’ was born, an icon of Celta, a part of the badge.
That prince gradually became king as a result of his superb performances. Another one that will remain in the minds of Celta fans was in 2019 against Villareal with relegation, once again, on the line. Aspas scored a brace in a spectacular comeback that allowed Celta to stay alive in the fight for relegation (which they would eventually achieve) after a few months in the dock.
That match, more than for its play (which was insultingly magnificent), will remain engraved in the memory of every Celta fan for the image of its hero on the bench. A disconsolate crying Aspas is the true reflection of the feeling of belonging that Iago has for Celta. ‘His’ Celta means everything to him.
And just a few days after his 36th birthday, Iago Aspas’ passion for Celta remains intact. The 11-year-old boy has fulfilled part of his dreams, but to feel completely fulfilled he is missing the finishing touch: a trophy.
We will see if ‘El Rey de las Bateas’ wins it on the clubs centenary year, but, even if he does not, it is clear that Iago’s heart will always belong to his beloved Celta de Vigo.
Main image: RCCelta.
Translated by Marcos Rodríguez.
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