Admiration for Sevilla Fútbol Club has crossed borders thanks to a resident of Baghdad, who has turned his passion into a source of hope and joy for Iraqi youth. This supporter has collaborated for years with local youth teams, providing financial support and promoting sports activities for vulnerable young people.
A recent episode highlighted his commitment when, unable to attend a match between Sevilla and Espanyol at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán due to visa issues, he decided to allocate the travel money to a solidarity action. During halftime, he distributed Sevilla FC jerseys among orphaned children in Baghdad, sharing a day of football and camaraderie.
“"I believe that football and the values of Sevilla can bring them joy and hope."
This Sevilla fan's commitment to the youth of his city materialized with the creation of the Antonio Puerta Academy in Baghdad. This initiative, launched a decade ago, aims to support and train new talents in Iraqi grassroots football, instilling values such as effort, humility, and self-improvement, which, according to the founder, “Antonio Puerta perfectly represented.”
In addition to the academy, the fan founded a youth team in his neighborhood, inspired by Sevilla Fútbol Club. This team has won several championships in popular tournaments in Baghdad, establishing itself as a local reference. His intention is for Iraqi youth to find in Sevilla “an example of struggle and overcoming challenges,” a message that the Antonio Puerta Academy amplifies, connecting the memory of the Sevillian footballer with a new generation in Iraq.
