Spanish Journey Part One
5. Sunday in Madrid

Narrator
This is Madrid's Sunday flea market: El Rastro. There are many Sunday rituals in Spain, but a top favourite is football. For generations parents and their children have gathered here to exchange collectors' card sets before the match.

Robert Elms
Which is your favourite team?

Boy 1
Barcelona.

Robert Elms
A Barcelona supporter, here?

Robert Elms
Is that for you or your son?

Man 1
No, it's for the kid!

Man 2
Sometimes we come here to exchange a few cards and pass the time of day, meet people etc.

Robert Elms
Which is your favourite team?

Boy 2
Mine? Real Madrid.

Robert Elms
You're a Real supporter? Who's your favourite player?

Boy 2
Willner.

Robert Elms
What about Raúl? He's good, isn't he? 

Boy 2
Yes, he's good too.

Robert Elms
Where's Real in here? 

Boy 2
Let's see... Real Madrid.

Narrator
By the age of seventeen, Raúl from Real was already in the First Division. He reached national selection a couple of years later. Now, at 20 years old he is quite a star. The interview with Raúl was quite an event for Robert Elms, who is a committed Real Madrid supporter.

Robert Elms
Raúl, how important is football here in Madrid?

Raúl
I think that here in this city, in Spain, or in the world for that matter, we couldn't get by without it. At the weekend people need to unwind a bit, relax from working long hours. With football they can have a good time out there cheering and supporting their favourite team.

Robert Elms
Is there much rivalry between Real and Atlético?

Raúl
Yes, a pretty strong one, I'd say, they are both important teams. Real Madrid has always been one up on Atlético de Madrid. Atlético de Madrid has always been, well, supported by the southernmost districts, the working-class areas, the more humble areas. My father and my brother both were Atlético de Madrid supporters. And as for me, the first ground I went to was Vicente Calderón and I was an Atlético supporter. What happened was that I played two years for Atlético de Madrid, in lower divisions and when I was fifteen I came to Madrid.