The ‘Gabri Veiga earthquake’, Celta’s new flag

In times of emergency, the quarry This has always been a means of escape and illusion for Celticism. It was during those times Borja Oubina He lived in Celta de Mostovoi. also when Iago Aspas entered Balaídos to avoid relegation to the Second Division B and, as a consequence, the more likely disappearance of the club, which was drowning in huge debt. And he’s doing it now Gabriel Veiga.

As Celta is about to celebrate its Centenary, separated from the city’s mayor, falls into a crisis in sports which has brought him back to fight for relegation in recent years, exacerbated by the departure of several homegrown players -Santi Mina, Denis Suárez, Rubén Blanco, Brais Méndez- and the almost certain departure of captain Hugo Mallo.

guaranteed relay

The relay in Balaídos is guaranteed. Gabriel Veiga He is 20 years old, and his disruption in LaLiga has caused him to be noticed by the greats of European football. For this reason, despite the fact that he extended his contract last year until 2026, Celta is working on a improving your recordwhich will indicate its increase clauseso far fixed on €40 million.

The Galician footballer is the new ambassador of the Celta brand. “His irruption is good at all levels, he contributes value to your brand”, pointed out Carlos Salvador, commercial director of the club for almost five years. Veiga’s sporting revaluation was accompanied by greater interest from fans and commercial brands in him. The selling t-shirts with number 24 and his name is fired. Celticism worshiped him during the generational change, and outside of Vigo his name monopolized all the spotlights, be it in Spain or the Old Continent.

“It all helps increase your television audiencethe number of fans, followers on social networks… and following helps you generate more resources: new sponsorships, new markets…”, says the person who changed the commercial area of Celtic.

Determined commitment to the quarry

The pandemic caused by Covid-19 has destroyed many sports clubs. Losses are not only limited to endorsement, television and match day revenue; as well as the cost of players and squads.

Celta, which plunges into a remarkable investment in its project GaliciaSports360, does not forget this. For this reason, even more, he was determined bet on the quarry its safest value. Veiga He is the last pearl of the A Madroa factory, a player who represents like few others the values ​​that President Carlos Mouriño has tried to impose since his arrival.

“So far it’s a brutal showcase for us”, maintains Carlos Salvador, aware of the follow-up that there is on the youth squad. Veiga brings a huge value to the Celta brand, Hence, the communication department tries to protect it by avoiding its excessive media exposure.

Protected by the club

“The idea is that continue to take natural steps For a boy of his age, sometimes the media spotlight distracts football players who come to the First Division very young”, they pointed out from the sports department.

The Celta midfielder is the stylish player in LaLiga, one of the youngsters with the biggest impact this season in European football. He has eight goals, two of them in his last game against Valladolid, and three assists in the 22 games he has played. Its market value has increased by more than 10 million.

“He’s very young but he does those things Apparently he has been playing in the First Division for fifteen years. And, even at the top, when you score goals and have good numbers, more people talk about you. But those who have known him since his childhood-cadetship already know that he has a cruel potential”, recalls Claudio Giráldez, a compatriot from the midfielder, current coach of Celta B.

privileged head

The young coach Veiga feels mentally prepared for this challenge: “He is a boy with mental stability and a family that supports him a lot, what surprised me the most is that some doubted that he would come because he had a privileged head”.

Giráldez, who also took a big step in his career when he signed for Real Madrid in his youth, always trusted his compatriot -both from O Porriño-, whom he led in the youth team.

“We shared many hours by car, it seems a kind of psychologist for him. We asked him not to compare himself with anyone, to focus on reaching professional football”, highlights the coach of the sky-blue subsidiary, who, like almost all the club’s workers, praises the “humility” by Gabri Veiga.

True to its origin

“Sometimes he lets himself be seen by A Madroa and you see him giving hugs with the base coaches. I think humility is the reason why he reached the top because without that humility the First Division dressing room swallows you ”, pointed out Alex Otero, Celta’s base coordinator.

He is not without reason. The under-21 international, who is already on the radar of coach Luis De la Fuente for the full, He still lives with his parents in his hometown, where he usually goes to the bar with his friends to watch football, or to the film festival held in the parish of Cans, the village of his grandparents. It doesn’t move in high-end cars either. This is Celta’s new symbol, its most global showcase after Aspas.