Rafa Benitez receives his medal in Madrid

The award took place midday today in the Jose Maria Cagigal Auditorium at INEF

05/10/2011rafabenitez.com

Rafa Benitez recieved this morning as planned the Silver Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit at a ceremony in Madrid. It was a scenario not entirely new to Rafa Benitez. He had previously been in the same hall, the Jose Maria Cagigal Auditorium, at Madrid INEF. That was when Benitez received the Agustin de Betancourt Medal, the highest award handedImagen
Photographer, Jason Roberts

out by the Polytechnic University of Madrid, a little more than a year ago, at the same Madrid INEF where he studied for his degree.

This morning's packed presentation was presided over by Her Royal Highness Infanta Dona Cristina and was attended by several personalities from politics, sport and culture...Benitez was delighted 'firstly to return to INEF which brought back memories of the walls, classrooms and corridors....although it is a long time since I studied here. We have all got older but this morning I met some old friends and teachers from that time and it was quite emotional.' Secondly, for 'the pride and satisfaction that it gives me to receive this award. A sincere thanks.' Certainly Rafa Benitez took the opportunity to chat to people there and he had friendly conversations with the Spanish National Manager, Vicente del Bosque, who was also receiving an honour, and with members of his technical staff, especially the fitness coach Javier Minano who worked with Benitez in the youth teams at Real Madrid.

Photo gallery in the RFEF Museum