Finding New Family In Madrid
Muhyadin, Spain
My name is Muhyadin, I am from Sudan, I am 20 years old. I have loved football since I was born. I remember being with my dad watching Real Madrid on Real Madrid TV, and he was very excited. I really loved being with him. I started to play at nine with my friends on the road, we used to play together, and I was really happy. I will always support Real Madrid. Sergio Ramos is the best player of all time!
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?
These photos were taken with my friends from other countries like Syria, Senegal, and Mali. We were in Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano (Atlético de Madrid stadium). We went together with our teacher Laura and Jorge - they worked together at CESAL, the organisation that helped welcome us in Spain and helped us with all the papers and learning Spanish. It was a happy day; we were like a big family. I wanted to show the love we all have for soccer. We played “piggy in the middle” (“Keep Away”) together, including with my Syrian friends.
Can you tell us the personal story of anyone else in the photographs?
One of my friends is Mohammed. He is another guy from Sudan, but I did not speak with him a lot when we met in Libya last year. We travelled together on a boat for ten days from Libya to Malta. Mohammed and I became friends when we stayed in Malta. We came to Spain by plane together with other guys from Sudan and now we share a room. He is very important to me. He is like my brother.
Did you play football before you came to Spain? If so, who with?
I used to play in my town with my childhood friends. I always dreamed of being a famous player. I had shirts from Spanish teams.
Why is football important to you and your community?
Football is very important because children who play football can dream of a better life, to travel around the world being a football player, they can imagine better lives. It is healthy and hopeful. And it’s nice to share time with friends or family watching football on TV. And for me it’s an opportunity to dream too.
What role does football play in your life at the moment? How has CESAL helped you?
CESAL has helped me a lot. They searched for a team to train with, they always listened to me, they asked me what I needed to feel better and even in COVID times they found a solution.
Do you play football now with any Spanish people? How do you find the Spanish people?
The Spanish people are kind. They are very important to me because they became my friends, and they are always smiling. The Spanish are very good players!
What ambitions do you have for the future?
I would like to be a professional player - it is my big dream. I would like to play in any Spanish team, but Manchester or other teams are really good for me too! I would like to travel around the world, meet different people and help my family.
