Parque Atlético de Madrid inaugurated
The opening of the new park was attended by the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, our president, Enrique Cerezo, our CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil, and several club legends.
This Monday, the inauguration ceremony of the Parque Atlético de Madrid was held, located where our legendary Vicente Calderón Stadium once stood, next to the Manzanares River. The event was attended by José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Mayor of Madrid, our president, Enrique Cerezo, and our CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil, accompanied by Paloma García Romero, Delegate of the Government Area for Works and Equipment; Javier Rodríguez, president of the "Nuevo Mahou-Calderón" Compensation Board; Adelardo Rodríguez, Atlético legend; and Roberto Solozábal, president of the "Atlético de Madrid Legends Association."
Several other legends who made history in this location while the Vicente Calderón stood also attended this inauguration of a green space that will hold a special place in the hearts of Atlético fans. Manolo Sánchez Delgado, Juan Carlos Pedraza, Miguel Ángel Ruiz García, Francisco Javier Bermejo, Luís Pereira, and Ramón "Cacho" Heredia, along with members of the social committee and club employees, were present at this emotional event.
During the ceremony, a series of historical objects from the Vicente Calderón were placed inside a time capsule, which was then buried beneath a plaque commemorating the 51 years of history of our former stadium. José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Miguel Ángel Gil, Enrique Cerezo, Paloma García Romero, Adelardo Rodríguez, and Roberto Solozábal were responsible for placing items in the capsule, including a seat, a stone, a piece of turf, posters from the first and last matches held at the stadium, a black-and-white photo of the first goal scored at the Vicente Calderón, a jersey from the stadium's 50th anniversary, and an Atlético de Madrid flag.
After burying the capsule, the group took a walk through the new park, arriving at a viewpoint overlooking the Manzanares River, where José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Enrique Cerezo, and Javier Rodríguez addressed those in attendance. Our president highlighted the mix of emotions felt upon returning to the site of the Vicente Calderón and all the memories lived by Atlético fans in this stadium. Meanwhile, the Mayor of Madrid emphasised the importance of this project as the final piece of the Madrid Río initiative and as a tribute to a location rich in Atlético symbolism.
