Salva is an Alumni of Journalism at the European University of Madrid and of the Master’s Degree in Communication and Sports Journalism at the Real Madrid University School. Today, he presents his book “Historia de las míticas remontadas del Real Madrid” (History of Real Madrid’s mythical comebacks).
Who are you? What did you study? When?
I’m Salva Martín, I studied journalism at Universidad Europea de Madrid from 2003-2007. I then went on to do the first edition of the Master’s Degree in Communication and Sports Journalism at the Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid in 2007-2008.
What were your student years like? Did you imagine yourself where you are now?
I studied journalism with the dream of one day being able to write. I’ve always thought of writing as a responsibility. On the other hand, I’ve always had the conviction that if you have a dream and you work for it, you can achieve it, but you also need a bit of luck to be in the right place and the right time.
What was your trajectory like from the time you graduated from Universidad Europea until you published your book Historia de las Míticas Remontadas del Real Madrid (History of Real Madrid’s Mythical comebacks)?
I started as a journalist in different media and then I trained in Digital Marketing, which also led me to work in agencies and corporate communications departments. I’ve never put my journalist side to one side, until last year when I had the idea of starting to write this first book.
Did it arise out of the blue or was it something you’d been thinking about for a while? How do you fit it in alongside your work?
It really came out of nowhere. I was watching Real Madrid’s comeback against PSG and, as the iconic moment of David Alaba’s chair-raising celebration took place, I was reminded of Juanito jumping in celebration in ‘86 against Borussia Mönchengladbach. They are both moments of exuberant naturalness; uncontainable joy and I quickly linked them. “There’s a story to tell here”, I thought. I then went on to find out if there was a book that spoke about it. I found reports, but only partial ones, and there definitely weren’t any books, which was when I decided to get started.
When it comes to doing it alongside work, you have to decide whether you want a life or want to pursue your dream.
What’s it like when you’re staring at a blank page?
You always start by researching. Reverte says that to write a page you have to read a thousand… So, if the book has 300, you do the maths. It consists of buying a lot of books, reading a lot of reports, magazines from the 70s, 80s, 90s… It’s the only way, you don’t invent anything, you just make sense of it.
When is the book launch? What will the reader find when they read it?
It’s already on sale in bookshops and large retail chains (Amazon, FNAC, El Corte Inglés), but we’ll probably do a formal launch at the start of the season, in September. Readers who are Madrid fans will read it with passion, and football fans with lots of appreciation. The older reader will become emotional and the younger reader will smile. They’ll see all the comebacks from the 70s to the present: anecdotes, testimonies, chronicles… And not only what happened as part of each comeback, but also information about how the team played and who coached them. It’s a very encyclopaedic vision in the sense that it features all the club’s different eras and moments.
It seems that this spirit is intrinsic to Real Madrid, but how is it possible that year after year, generation after generation, this DNA is never lost and these feats continue to be repeated every season?
There’s no explanation. The book says that Madrid turns the impossible into a daily occurrence. The first comeback took place in 1975 against Derby Country. Real Madrid lost 4-1. But, on the bus home, people like Camacho and Juanito began to encourage the team and convey the message that they would make a comeback in Madrid. Initially they looked at us as if they were crazy, but they ended up convincing the group and, even more magically, the Bernabéu. The fans were already heading out onto the pitch with the faith that it was possible.
That mentality, before it became known as the “Juanito spirit”, was known as the “Derby spirit”, and by repeating this on so many occasions it created an aura of stage fright that stopped opponents in their tracks. This is something that was seen last season against PSG or Manchester City. With just one draw Real Madrid managed to stop them in their tracks. Madrid fans believe when nobody else does, and that has an incredible impact.
Tell us an anecdote from the book writing process.
The most beautiful part was being able to contact Juanito’s son. Hearing him talk about what Real Madrid meant to his father. He said that he didn’t need any motivation other than wearing the white jersey.
For me, Real Madrid is Santiago Bernabéu, the crest and Juanito.
What role does your time at the Real Madrid Graduate School play? Do you think you could have written your book just as a fan?
Everything counts. During my time at the School, I was able to meet professionals who helped me get to know the club a bit better. Also, as we were the first class graduating from the master’s degree, I learned a lot.
During the Graduation Ceremonies, the president and Head of School emphasised the importance of transmitting the spirit you show in your book and not giving up. Did you feel that way as a student?
Yes, absolutely. There’s a symbiosis between the education given and the club’s own values. This leads to a way of educating that passes those skills onto you. After all, you’re part of the most important university in Spain and the most important football club in the world. When you’re lucky enough to train there, you’ve made it to the top.
What is the best and worst part about your adventure as a writer?
I have a friend who, when I told him I was going to write the book, said: enjoy it. I wasn’t that aware of enjoying the process, and when I finished it, I felt as though it was over too fast. The best thing is being able to do what you like and feel useful writing. The worst part is having to fit it in alongside another job. You need time to have a clear mind, be alive, resourceful…
What are your future plans after your first book?
There are three parts to writing a book: writing it, getting a publisher to buy it, and promoting it. I’m currently in the midst of promotion and some ideas in my head, but I’m taking things step by step.
As a fan, what do you think is the most important comeback for the club? And, on the other hand, which is your favourite?
I’d say that the first is the most beautiful. It’s the most symbolic, the one that started it all, and involves two of the most irreplaceable players. Santillana and Juanito. For me, Santillana has been one of the best strikers in the country, and Juanito is pure art and passion.
The ones I’ve enjoyed the most or made me think the most are the ones we played against Chelsea, PSG and Manchester City. They’re on a par with the achievement of La Séptima.
And lastly, which moment has been your favourite?
It’s linked to the match in which Juanito jumped up and down when celebrating the match against Borussia. Valdano, a very rational person, says that in that same match he even lost consciousness on the pitch. That was a key moment for me. It shows the greatness and strength of a comeback.
What advice would you give to new students at the university?
My university years were the best years of my life. I have no bad memories of those years. Everything was magical. I’d give the Communication students the same advice I was given at 11 years old: read, enjoy the moment because it will fly by, but, above all, read.
