Determined to keep fit, to raise money for charity and to continue interacting with fans around the world, their online profiles have been buzzing all week. Hereu00e2u0080u0099s a quick run-through of the best.
A screengrab from social media
With Spain still in a period of obligatory social distancing, LaLiga players are staying home to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. But determined to keep fit, to raise money for charity and to continue interacting with fans around the world, their online profiles have been buzzing all week. Here’s a quick run-through of the best.
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Backing a unique fundraising concert, LaLiga Santander Fest
Players from across LaLiga supported a very unique event on Saturday night. LaLiga Santander Fest, which brought together a host of LaLiga stars including Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Saul Ñiguez and Joaquin all from their own homes, as well as the likes of Rafa Nadal and some of the best musical talent not only in Spain but the world, raised over €650,000 to buy essential medical supplies to help combat COVID-19.
u00e2u009du00a4u00efu00b8u008f @saulniguez: "We will be even stronger and better prepared!" u00e2u009du00a4u00efu00b8u008f
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) March 28, 2020
A HUGE THANK YOU for watching #LaLigaSantanderFest! We have raised over u00f0u009du009fu0094u00f0u009du009fu008eu00f0u009du009fu008e.u00f0u009du009fu008eu00f0u009du009fu008eu00f0u009du009fu008e€! u00f0u009fu0091u008f
u00f0u009fu008fu00a0 #StayHome and together we will win this match! u00f0u009fu0092u00aa
You can still keep donating:
u00f0u009fu0091u0089 https://t.co/wwdiWpijDm … pic.twitter.com/yPBJhdr8RB
Reaching out to support fans in difficult times
Juan Carlos is a Sevilla season ticket holder currently in hospital being treated for the coronavirus but imagines his astonishment when he got a surprise phone call from none other than one of his Sevilla FC heroes, Franco Vazquez! The Argentine, known as ‘El Mudo’ – ‘the silent one’ – certainly didn’t stay quiet as he wished him all the best in his recovery over the phone.
Keeping fit in unique ways
One of the main challenges for LaLiga players during this lockdown is, of course, keeping fit. Players have been sharing their workout routines on social media all week and some have been particularly unique! Think of Valencia’s Ezequiel Garay’s dance while dressed as a tiger, or Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino’s workout which involved lifting with his partner Lola.
u00f0u009fu008eu00a5 ¡Dejamos el circo y nos vamos al gimnasio!
— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) March 25, 2020
u00f0u009fu008fu008bu00f0u009fu008fu008bu00efu00b8u008fu00e2u0099u0082 ¡Turno para @MikelMerino1 y Lola!#RSChallenge #AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/LLxakOjgbp
Chatting with fans on Instagram Live
One trend over the past week has been for LaLiga footballers to organise Instagram Live sessions, answering questions from fans and even chatting with other stars of the sport. Real Sociedad’s Adnan Januzaj and Álex Remiro organised an Instagram Live session to connect with their fans, while Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema ran one of his own and was even joined by Real Valladolid president Ronaldo for part of it.
Sharing a whole day
RC Celta’s Denis Suárez spent a whole day with fans on Wednesday. He took control of the Galician club’s Instagram account for the day and regularly updated the club’s followers with what he was getting up to as he stayed at home, including working out, cooking and a chat with club icon Iago Aspas.
El Mudo habla cuando hay que hablar.
— Sevilla Fútbol Club - #YoMeQuedoEnCasa (@SevillaFC) March 28, 2020
Sorpresón a un abonado afectado por el #Covid_19... ¡Vamos Juan Carlos! ¡Mucha fuerza a todos los que luchan contra el Coronavirus!#QuédateEnCasa #YoMeQuedoEnCasa pic.twitter.com/8a1JkgaC4a
Keeping the mind alert
As well as physical drills, players have also been taking part in mental workouts over the past week. Down in the Canary Islands for example, UD Las Palmas’ Alberto De la Bella turned his attention to board games during some much-needed family time.
Competing in FIFA20
After the success of last weekend’s LaLiga Santander Challenge tournament which involved players from clubs across the league, Real Sociedad held their own FIFA20 tournament for eight of their first-team squad members. Swedish forward sensation Alexander Isak came out on top, defeating teammate Adnan Januzaj 7-2 in the final.
Visiting the press room without leaving the house
Several clubs and players have been organising virtual press conferences while at home, but Getafe took it a step further by making it look like Jaime Mata was in the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez press room as he replied to questions from fans.
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