Espinoza and San Martín review the figure of Caszely in the presentation of their book at the Ciutat.

The Fenollosa Hall hosted the presentation of the book Carlos Caszely, Goals and Rebellion, a work that explores the complex and fascinating life journey of the forward who played for Levante UD for two seasons in the 1970s. 

The event was attended by the authors of the book, Carolina Espinoza and Miguel Ángel San Martín, as well as Fernando Llagaria, president of the Casa de Chile in Valencia, and Emilio Nadal, head of the Historical Heritage Area of Levante UD. Carlos Caszely could not be physically present in Valencia, but his presence was fully felt last night during the book presentation at the Fenollosa Hall. From Santiago, Chile, the former footballer sent a statement that resonated in the Fenollosa Hall and transported the attendees to his past with Levante, evoking a decisive stage of his career and life.

The presentation began with the evocation of a historic anniversary that was celebrated precisely yesterday: December 16, 1973, when a devastating Levante defeated Rayo Vallecano 0-4 in Madrid, with Caszely scoring all four goals. A multifaceted demonstration of the Chilean striker's footballing arsenal.

The sporting and social significance

At the start of the event, Emilio Nadal highlighted the dimension that goes beyond strictly football. “He is a figure that exerts fascination. He arrived in Spain during the late Franco era at a complicated moment in Chile's history, after Pinochet's military coup and the overthrow of Allende's government.”

Fernando Llagaria emphasized this dual perspective of the character. “It is a necessary book,” he stated, focusing on both the sporting figure and Caszely's political and social commitment.

A narrative that avoids the classic biography

Carolina Espinoza explained the process of creating the work, which emerged during Caszely's stay in Madrid as a cultural attaché at the Chilean embassy. “We would meet in a bar, and I started gathering recordings,” she recounted. The work was built on about fifteen hours of conversations.

“This is not a typical football biography,” Espinoza warned. The book moves away from traditional standards to offer multiple perspectives: “you can find Caszely the footballer, but also the young Caszely, the husband, the grandfather, the singer, the political Caszely.” A complex task for a life with many lives within.

More than a footballer

Espinoza introduced Miguel Ángel San Martín into the narrative, “because it is not just a football book, but I needed someone who understood those codes.” A journalist based in Spain since the 1970s and a personal friend of Caszely, San Martín described the work as “an example of life.”

He highlighted Caszely's values, “born within his family,” and recalled his debut with Colo Colo and the magnetism he has always radiated. “Although he is much more than a footballer,” he emphasized. “He has three degrees. How many footballers of this level have three degrees?” he asked.

Miguel Ángel San Martín also recalled how he got in touch with Carlos Caszely to present him with the book project. It was in 2019, several years after those initial recordings that gave rise to the work. That time gap required resuming interviews and updating content to complete the narrative. During that process, the pandemic emerged, an unexpected context that San Martín described as decisive. The confinement became a favorable time to organize the accumulated material and tackle the definitive writing of the book.

The book addresses his role as a player, but also decisive episodes such as his relationship with Pinochet, his firm opposition to the regime, and the missed penalty in the 1982 Spain World Cup. Carlos Caszely, Goals and Rebellion offers a vital journey of a man who loves life intensely.