Vicente Iborra receives the immense affection of the Levante fans

The Ciutat de València has been the setting for an emotional tribute to Vicente Iborra, who received immense affection from the Levante fans after announcing his retirement from professional football a few weeks ago. The stands and the club wanted to recognize his career and commitment.

The club had prepared a surprise that moved the entire stadium. Iborra, who is now part of the coaching staff as Calero's assistant, stepped onto the pitch through a corridor formed by the players of Levante UD and FC Barcelona, accompanied by his three children. Afterwards, he performed the honorary kickoff before the start of the match, the president of Levante UD, Pablo Sánchez, and the honorary president, Francisco Fenollosa, presented him with a framed jersey with the message “Gràcies, capità” and the number 256, referring to the matches he played with the first team of Levante. The ovation from the crowd was prolonged and unanimous, in recognition of an exemplary career. Meanwhile, the supporters' section, behind the goal in the Alboraia area, unveiled a large banner with an image of the captain and a text that reads: "Vicente Iborra, Levante legend." 

Pre-match actions at the Ciutat de València

The prelude to the match was filled with symbolism. Sergio Griño, a player from Levante UD EDI, placed the official ball on the pedestal on the Ciutat's pitch, in a gesture of inclusion and granota pride. Additionally, the club dedicated a tribute to the victims of the forest fires that have recently devastated Ourense, Cáceres, León, and Zamora. A minute of silence was also observed in memory of the season ticket holders who passed away in the last year. In this first home match, the parents of Ramón Ferrer, who died in the Campanar fire along with his wife and two children, left a bouquet of flowers on the plaque that the club installed at the entrance to the stands where "Ramonet" used to sit, commemorating his son. 

The video scoreboards announced news that the club will provide full details about on Monday, as a date has already been set for the recovery of the remains of José Ballester Gozalvo, founder of Levante, and Teresa Molins, his wife. A Levante delegation will travel to Villiers-Adam from August 31 to September 1, and on September 6, the funeral chapel will be set up at the Ciutat de València. 

The VIP Box L’Alqueria once again became a space of memory and emotions for the league opener. The exhibition was dedicated to Serafín García, one of the heroes of the 1962-1963 season, who has gone down in the club's history for his 140 matches, 42 goals, and his key role in the promotion to the First Division.

The players entered the field hand in hand with boys and girls in an action by Marcos Automoción, introduced this week as the main sponsor. During halftime, President Pablo Sánchez presented the institutional gift, crafted by El Paeller, to FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta in the Boardroom, and an action by Baleària took place on the pitch.