“El nostres ídols: Roberto Gil” exhibition pays tribute to a legend

A tribute exhibition to Roberto Gil, a former captain, coach and technical secretary for Valencia CF, will run from this Wednesday to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of his playing career.

"Els nostres idols: Roberto Gil" is hosted at the Castell de Riba-roja del Túria, in his hometown.

At the inauguration of the exhibition, Gil was accompanied by his closest relatives, as well as by the president of Valencia CF, Anil Murthy, the mayor of Riba-roja del Túria, Robert Raga, club ambassadors Ricardo Arias, Miguel Ángel Bossio and Miguel Tendillo, and Pepe Claramunt, another former teammate and Valencia CF legend.

Born on July 30th, 1938 in Paterna, Gil went to live in Riba-roja del Túria as a child. He was the engine room of Valencia CF's midfield from the 1959/60 season through to his retirement in February of 1971, playing 300 games. In that time, he helped the club to two Fairs Cups (1962 and 1963) and one Copa del Rey (1967).

Anil Murthy opened the exhibition with some words about its subject:

“We are very happy to be in Riba-roja to inaugurate this exhibition and give this beautiful surprise to a symbol of the club like Roberto Gil. For us it is a source of great pride to be able to honour one of the biggest idols of Valencia CF's history. A captain, coach and technical secretary, Roberto Gil is one of our emblems. Every time we have met, he has transmitted his passion for the club in its purest form."

“I remember the day of the Centenary, when you went onto the pitch at Mestalla carrying our founding flag, receiving a great ovation from the fans. Roberto, you have been everything for our club and our fans. Although your home is Mestalla, today we wanted pay tribute to you in your town. This wonderful exhibition is for you. AMUNT Valencia and AMUNT Roberto."

Mayor of Riba-roja del Túria, Robert Raga, took the time to express his gratitude to Valencia CF:

“Roberto Gil is one of the most important ambassadors for Riba-roja del Túria. He was a Riba-roja player and director of the Riba-roja CF sports school, as well as one of the greats of Valencia CF. He was a midfielder of enormous quality, a captain of Valencia CF, and we are very happy that Valencia CF are here to pay tribute."

The exhibition is organised by Valencia CF, through the Heritage and Museum Departament of the VCF Foundation, and the Ajuntament de Riba-roja del Túria; it features collaboration from the VCF Footballers Association,  the Athletic Club Museum and Ribarroja C.F.