His dark eyes sink in sync with the rolling window of his Range Rover.
Hacks swarm in question of his judgement.
A Hushed tone greets their mics,
as timid answers look to the third person for the confidence they have come to expect.
For six days a week he is Juan.
A quiet man.

Only on the seventh is he Román,
taking centre stage to lead his men into their battle.
Cloaked in the spotlight,

a solace is found.

Because while they scuffle, scrap, and sprint and for every ball,
one quixotic soul fights a bigger battle;
his is one of ideals, for the survival of an art.
His is of the enganche.

And for us, for the romantics,
for the idyllic embracers of the individualista,,
it’s more than just a game -
and it’s one we wish it would never end.

We cherish every second.
Every touch, every pass,
every look of indignation;
every tic, every tac, every twist and turn -
every second.

With him, we will always take the scenic route.