Real Oviedo president Martín Peláez revealed that Queen Letizia personally urged the club to achieve promotion to LaLiga. He made the comments on Monday upon arrival at the Hotel de la Reconquista during the Princess of Asturias Awards, where he also joked about the prospect of Lionel Messi wearing the blue shirt.
Peláez recounted the meeting with the Queen. "She already told me we have to improve, we have to return, they've already put pressure on us," the president explained. This message comes at a key time for Oviedo, who sit ninth in the Segunda División with 17 points from ten games, having recorded five wins, two draws and three losses. The team faces a key match this Thursday against leaders Almería, a fixture that could close the seven-point gap separating them.
The club approaches this fixture in high spirits after two consecutive victories, the latest a 1-2 win at AD Ceuta with goals from Samuel Rodríguez de la Riva and Carlos Domínguez. Their recent form over the last five matches reads three wins and two defeats. However, their overall performance this season shows a tight balance, with 13 goals scored and 10 conceded. Forward Carlos Domínguez, with four goals in eight appearances, is the squad's top scorer.
The Messi dream in blue
With the Argentine superstar in the city to receive the Princess of Asturias Sports Award, Peláez couldn't resist a fantasy. "Hopefully, he's not retired yet; let's see if we can convince him, it would be a luxury," he said with a laugh about a hypothetical signing. The president considered Messi's award "more than deserved" and highlighted the privilege of having him in Oviedo.
Peláez also took the opportunity to praise a club legend, Santi Cazorla, who shared the stage with Messi at the 'El Juego del Diez' event before thousands of schoolchildren. "We have our Messi here, our Cazorla; two great legends of football and also two great people," he stated, equating the human and footballing stature of both.
The next test, against Almería, will be a perfect barometer of the club's real aspirations. The Queen's message is clear, and the response must come on the pitch.
The original report is at elcomercio.es
