Hortaleza, the neighbourhood of Luis Aragonés

A feature on Luis Aragonés' legacy in Madrid's Hortaleza neighbourhood, where he grew up before becoming Spain's Euro 2008-winning coach and Atlético Madrid legend.

Luis Aragonés, the legendary Spanish coach who won Euro 2008 and managed Atlético Madrid to multiple titles, left an indelible mark on his native Hortaleza neighbourhood in Madrid. A bust, a sports centre bearing his name, and memories from those who knew him there are among the traces he left in the district where he grew up.

Aragonés became a fixture of Atlético Madrid's history as both player and manager, winning three league titles and two cups as a player, and a league title, Intercontinental Cup, three cups and a Supercopa as coach. He also guided the club to promotion to the top flight. As Spain's national team manager, he secured the country's first major tournament victory in 44 years with the 2008 European Championship, a triumph still referred to as "La España de Luis".

Florencio Elipe, a childhood friend who grew up with Aragonés in Hortaleza playing football together at Pinar de Hortaleza, recalls him as intelligent, skilled with the ball, and naturally gifted at scoring. The neighbourhood's connection to Aragonés has endured, earning him the nickname "El Sabio de Hortaleza" (The Wise Man of Hortaleza), a moniker originally given to his brother Matías before Luis inherited it.