Juanfran Torres to host padel event at mega stadium: "The idea is very beautiful"

Former Atlético Madrid player Juanfran Torres and padel player Lucas Campagnolo are organizing a charity event with major club Atlético Madrid this weekend. In an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, the footballer talks about the event.

Atletico Madrid icon Juanfran Torres will again play at his former home stadium, but this time with a racket in hand. The former Spanish player has joined forces with the Atlético Madrid Foundation and Brazilian padel star Lucas Campagnolo in a charity event.

In an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, Juanfran Torres talks about the "Play2Help" event:

— The idea is wonderful because when I talked to the Atletico de Madrid Foundation, which I consider my family, they wanted to organize a special event. Then I got the idea that it should be a padel event and to create something magical that could attract the whole world to padel.  

He continues:

— Padel is growing rapidly, and I knew it would have a big impact because it is the most practiced sport in Spain after football. Together with my team, we have created this opportunity to offer them an event that aims to raise as much money as possible for the Atleti Foundation, and we have also included other foundations that I like very much. 

On Saturday, September 9, the Cívitas Metropolitano stadium will be set up to host "Play2Help", an impressive event.  

— We will have a very cool event with a track inside the Metropolitano that we will place with scaffolding at the north end between the goal and the stand," Torres told Marca.

Juanfran Torres also explains how much he appreciates the sport:

— I didn't think I would like it (padel) so much, but I hardly touch football anymore. I know many professionals. I follow the tournaments, I like it more and more, and I practice it. It's not as complicated as tennis, but it's complicated, and then when you see the professionals playing, you realize it's like football. I know how to play soccer; when you see a professional playing, everything changes. 

"I am very excited"

Padel player Lucas Campagnolo recently told Mundo Deportivo newspaper about his thoughts on the event:

— I'm very excited, and a few days ago I went with them to the stadium. I like football. I'm a big football fan, and to imagine a padel court in an environment like this will be incredible. I would love it if everyone could come because, apart from the event itself, it's a charity event and it's essential to help good causes.