Applying coherence to the passion challenge. The transition, sometimes complicated, from CD Tenerife to UD Las Palmas. Álex Muñoz (San Juan de Alicante, 29 years old), the first signing announced of the eight closed by the sports management, arrived on a free transfer from Levante. Before landing in the Levante club, he spent three seasons at the Tenerife club (99 matches). He knocked out UD in the 2022 playoff and narrowly missed promotion with the Girona.
After twelve professional seasons, he signs for the pío pío team to finally play in La Liga, fulfilling his long-awaited goal. He does it with a sense of duty fulfilled at Heliodoro, leaving everything he had on the field. He avoids the rivalry in the Canary Islands, which can only be rekindled in the 24-25 season in the Copa del Rey.
“I spent three seasons and we were steps away from promotion against Girona [June 19, 2022]. I enjoyed consistency, left good statistics and have fond memories of that time. My contract ended and I signed with Levante (…) I joined a team with greater ambition in the promotion challenge. We formed a great squad, with Iborra, Campaña, Pepelu and we were one minute away [they were eliminated by a penalty from Asier Villalibre in the 129th minute of the playoff final return leg]. Many changes followed, but it also holds special memories. It was time to change course; after all, we are professionals and I have a certain respect for all teams,” he says in the club’s official media.
He clarifies that he does not see his profession through “rivalry”. “I have great memories of Tenerife and I don’t see football with such rivalry either. Can’t you play on the other side as the years go by? It’s an opportunity to play in La Liga, logical people have to understand that: it only happens once. You can’t let it slip away. In all the teams I’ve been in, I’ve always given 100%. I don’t think anyone can blame me for anything. Also, in terms of sports, zero problems.”
Asked about the praise or criticism from the Tenerife fans, now that he is a yellow player, he maintains his argument that he sleeps peacefully. “Those who know me well know how I am on the field. Those who don’t know me will give their opinions, and you can agree or not. On social media, everyone gives their opinion and a lot of things and a lot of nonsense are said,” emphasizes the former player of Hércules CF, Sevilla Atlético or Real Zaragoza.
Muñoz hints that his transfer to UD was concluded swiftly and he has already received the first instructions from Campaña – with whom he coincided at Levante. “The signing was quite rapid (…) It started the week after the end of the season [around June 9]. The first contacts between UD and my agents began there. When I was free, everything was smooth. The opportunity arose to play for a La Liga club (…) Campaña gave me positive insights about the club; he spoke highly of the club and the structure. In Gran Canaria, football is lived passionately.
Anger towards Pedri and Maikel Mesa
The return of former Tenerife players to Heliodoro wearing UD shirts has led to moments of great tension. Pedri, now at FC Barcelona and actively participating in the Eurocup, was whistled by the fans in the Tenerife-Las Palmas match on September 7, 2019. Additionally, he received a harsh tackle from Luis Milla, leading to the expulsion of the Madrid-born midfielder, who now plays for Getafe.
In September 2020, the midfielder from La Laguna, who played 87 games for UD, celebrated a goal at Heliodoro by pointing at the club’s crest in his traditional way. The gesture resulted in death threats and insults on social media. He defends the interests of Zaragoza and rumours about his return to Tete are strong after reconciling with the environment. Moleiro and Kirian, yellow symbols born in Tenerife, also faced hostility at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium.
