The thematic exhibition of the upcoming match between Levante UD and CA Osasuna at the Ciutat de València suggests an invitation to travel through time. September 7, 1958. The date is part of the historical memory of the Granota club.

We return to the Vallejo stadium to capture the debut of Faas Wilkes wearing the Levante jersey. It was a friendly match that pitted the team led by Álvaro against Osasuna. A typical preparatory match that suddenly gained significance due to the presence of the Dutch forward.

A signing that shook the city

Wilkes dominated the final days of August 1958 in the azulgrana spotlight. Antonio Román made headlines with the announcement of the signing of the footballer from Rotterdam. During the summer, football circles in the city of Turia speculated about the possibility of a new agreement between Wilkes and Valencia CF. The player's footballing past was tied to the Mestalla club, and it seemed a second chapter in his career was opening. Then, unexpectedly, Levante emerged. And Wilkes reached an agreement with the Vallejo squad. In the background loomed the golden promise of promotion to the First Division, a goal the club had been pursuing for ages.

Vallejo bows to Wilkes

The image of Wilkes in the azulgrana jersey stirred the emotions of the Granota fans. Long lines formed at the Vallejo social headquarters to secure season passes for what promised to be a historic season. The news crossed local borders, shaking up the national football market. And then came September 7. On that day, Wilkes donned the Levante jersey for the first time. The match took on a new significance. The stands at Vallejo reflected the magnitude of the event. There wasn’t an empty seat in the house.

Paredes' Antwerp-style goal

The figure of Wilkes overshadowed the other players. However, out of the shadows emerged Paredes, asserting his innate goal-scoring ability. Paredes may have been one of the players most affected by the arrival of the Dutchman. Throughout the season, he had to adapt his position from the heart of the penalty area to secure his place in the starting eleven.

Perhaps that afternoon he scored one of the most beautiful goals of his career. The Antwerp-style goal, as the press dubbed it. Grit, courage, and precision in a magnificent scissor kick. It was the second goal of the afternoon.

Between hope and reality

However, all eyes were on the legendary figure of Wilkes. He was a high-caliber signing for a team facing a thorny challenge: promotion to the elite. That was the beginning of the partnership between Wilkes and Levante during the 1958-1959 season. Perhaps the hopes were justified.

The player's résumé and influence were an enticing invitation to optimism. But football is not an exact science. There were highs and lows throughout the league campaign, culminating in a tragic end with promotion to the First Division at stake. But that is another story.

An exhibition to relive history

The exhibition accompanying the match at the Ciutat will allow fans to immerse themselves in that foundational episode. The exhibition will include the original match sheet from the game played on September 7, 1958, as well as documents related to Wilkes' time at Levante, pieces that help contextualize the social and sporting impact of his arrival at Vallejo.