Fresh from winning the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games and returning to Valencia with the accolade, Carlos Soler was back at work in training on Tuesday. After the session, he was given a surprise by residents at the VCF Academy, who were waiting to give him a round of applause for his achievements this summer.

Soler is an example for such players, having himself come up through the VCF Academy system and become a first team captain. He has been part of the club since the age of seven, and much time has passed since he first arrived as a child, tearful at leaving his family. Aware of his roots, the midfielder dedicated time to those who had attended to greet him, showing off the silver medal and also fielding questions from them in a sit-down chat.

In return, he requested that the young players work hard every day, in order to improve with each training session, and that they aim to become good people as well as good footballers.

Before heading off to rest up ahead of further workouts and the LaLiga season opener on Friday against Getafe, Soler posed for a photo with the VCF Academy residents and received another applause.