Julio Alberto: 'Sport Is an Educational Tool'
On Wednesday, 22 February 2012, Julio Alberto, a former FC Barcelona player, gave a lecture on the value of sport to students of the UIC Master's Degree Programme in Sports Journalism.
Julio Alberto came up through the ranks of football
club Atlético de Madrid, where he made his first-division debut in 1977. In the summer of
1982, he signed for FC Barcelona. The club failed to win La Liga that
year but went on to win the Copa del Rey in 1983 and the Supercopa de España in 1984. In 1991, he decided to leave FC Barcelona
and retire from football altogether.
Once away from the football field, he fell into a
depression, which led to substance abuse. He has since recovered and now works
for various foundations and organizations by lecturing at conferences to
prevent drug abuse among young people. In 2005, he qualified as a trainer. He
is linked professionally to FC Barcelona through the club’s foundation and is also
involved in social initiatives in the developing world through UNICEF.
“Sport has been fundamental to my life”, the former
player said. He has been connected to football his whole life, whether through
playing or through his current involvement in social activities. “Sport is an
educational tool that helps children grow as individuals and develop values.”