Fan Story: Cup final consolation from Ilaix Moriba

The final of the Copa del Rey, held on April 23 at La Cartuja (Seville) did not end as Valencianistas wanted. The loss on penalties against Real Betis left the Valencia CF fans saddened, and it was difficult to find consolation. At that moment, several players reacted and tried to raise the spirits of the fans. One of them was Ilaix Moriba.

The Guinean approached one supporter, Juanvi Aguado, to give hm some words of encouragement.

A few days later, Aguado and Moriba were reunited at Mestalla.

"Like all Valencianistas, I was happy at first and left sad. We all stayed back in the stadium, silenced, without barely saying anything, and when the players went past to thank the fans, it was a tough moment. It was a difficult moment for Valencianistas. Seeing Gayà and Soler crying was tough. But I'll take away the experience of the weekend in Seville: The fan zone, the party, and all that I felt there," says Aguado.

"I really wasn't expecting it. I saw Gayà go past me, and that moment that was on social media, in which the kid went over to him. Ilaix, who isn't Valencian and isn't a homegrown player, came over to me. He's a player on loan here, and he told me not to cry, that he didn't want to see me like this, that Valencia CF always bounce back. I will be grateful to him for the rest of my life."