Real Madrid

Real Madrid and its Foundation are on a never-ending quest to promote peace through the use of sports. On Wednesday, Valdebebas opened its doors to Israeli and Palestinian schools that have united for the common goal of peace. The morning began with the planting of an olive tree at the sports city, and the children later attended the training session and were given the chance to meet the players.

Accompanying the Israeli and Palestinian foundations were none other than Real Madrid President, Vicente Boluda, first team captain and Foundation ambassador, Raul Gonzalez, and Foundation Director Teresa Mogin.

Vicente Boluda: “These children are an example”
In a brief speech, Vicente Boluda thanked all those in attendance and highlighted the work carried out by such schools and the importance of such relationships between Israeli and Palestinian children. For the President, “this visit makes me very proud. With their attitudes, these children are a daily example of coexistence. This is how peace can be built; by sharing emotions through the common language of sport. Thank you and welcome to Real Madrid. We will now plant an olive tree here, right next to the first stone every laid at the sports city, as a symbol of peace. As Gandhi once said, there is no road towards peace; peace is the road.”

The olive tree was then planted using dirt from both the sports city and that brought from Israel and Palestine. Fifty white balloons were subsequently released into the air and gift bags, including autographed shirts were handed out.