The Peña

There are trips you take to fulfill a commitment, and then there are those that are forever etched into your soul. What we experienced last Saturday at the IX Anniversary of Peña Atlética Castañera in Castañar de Ibor undoubtedly belongs to the second kind.

From the very first moment, they took care of absolutely everything, looking after every single detail of our trip and the hotel, constantly keeping an eye out for us. We found a fan club that is incredibly tight-knit, filled with wonderful, genuine people whose hospitality is the kind you only receive from truly authentic, salt-of-the-earth people. When I accidentally met them three years ago in Guadalupe (also partying, of course!), I already sensed that this fan club was different. That’s why I didn’t hesitate for a second to dedicate a whole chapter to them in the book. And time has proven me right: the club is growing non-stop, and it’s all thanks to their hard work and the power of their community. We had the honor of presenting Merece la peña in a place that actually has its very own chapter written in gold within the book. The welcome couldn’t have been more beautiful, warm, and respectful.

There are many stories in the world of fan clubs, but very few Peñas can say with pride that their President is the leading voice who has captured our passion in writing. At the Peña Atlética de Alemania, we don’t just have a presence in the stands-we are also on the bookshelves of thousands of Atleti fans.

Our “Presi” has channeled her immense knowledge of Atleti’s fan clubs into a work that has connected directly with the hearts of the supporters. Titled “Merece la Peña”, the book has been such a resounding success that, since its release in September 2025, it has already reached its 3rd edition in just seven months! This journey proves that when you write from the heart and with true expertise, the fans respond.

And another peñistic weekend arrived, this time in Sigüenza! I had the honor of being invited to the 30th anniversary of Peña Seguntina, and the celebration began in the best possible way: with a ham and wine tasting that was absolutely spectacular. Between slices and sips, you could already feel the Peña spirit and the excitement to fully enjoy the day.

Afterwards, we went to enjoy a delicious roast lamb, of course at a great restaurant, where no fewer than 4 of the 5 Peñas from Guadalajara gathered. The table had an extra touch of luxury: the legends Solozábal and Fresnedoso, whom I had the pleasure of sitting next to—along with Sandra, the president of Seguntina, and Txus Rojas! Between laughter, anecdotes, and good humor, the meal turned into a true Peña feast.

What a peñistic weekend we had! It all started on November 15th in Burgos, celebrating the 15th anniversary of Peña Gamonal. Around 11 a.m., a bus picked us up (yes, like a school trip, but with more excitement and zero homework) and took us to the Peña. They gave us a full tour and treated us to an aperitif that was absolutely delicious. Between tapas and laughter, we could already feel the special Peña magic.

Still with a smile on our faces (and a few anecdotes that will take a while to forget) after a wonderful day… A heartfelt thanks to Peña Atlética La Bañeza “Un sentimiento” for inviting us to celebrate their 30th anniversary on Saturday, October 11. It was a perfect day, one of those that makes you feel reconciled with everything.

Saturday began with the traditional football match, which ended in a penalty shootout—perhaps because Rafa, president of Peña Mallorca, acted as referee. The next day, many of the participants complained about sore muscles; it seems age and inactivity spare neither the body nor the memory… and certainly not how to play football!