The unexpected talisman of Girona's only victories

GironaGirona has had a lucky charm in the stands for both of their La Liga victories this season, both at Montilivi: Elinilma Pereira, the mother of Savinho, the star player of the 2023-24 Girona superstar team that broke all the club's records and is now at Manchester United. "Every time I have the chance to support the team, I do it with great pleasure," she told ARA. Elinilma moves discreetly through the stadium. Accompanied by friends, she makes her way to her seat in the stands. She's wearing a red and white scarf.

"We have a very special feeling towards the club. What we experienced that year was beautiful. On and off the field, our life was perfect. Savinho was very happy here. For him, it was more than just a place to play football: it was where he matured, where he realized that heart is important, but talent is important, but talent is important. It was at Girona where he discovered himself to be stronger, more determined, and more passionate, so they welcomed him and treated him very well, and as a mother, I can only be grateful," says Elinilma, a businesswoman who fell in love with the city. Although her son left, she lives there and visits Montilivi whenever her schedule allows. "I love the city, the people who live there are very welcoming. The food is good, the weather is great..."

Born into a working-class and humble family, Savinho is very close to his loved ones. Even as a child, he took on responsibilities, helping out on the family farm. In Brazil, when he wasn't kicking a ball, he was milking cows. "The relationship between a mother and son is a bond that begins even before words are spoken. It's care, devotion, and above all, unconditional love. We haven't just built a mother-son relationship, we've built a partnership. We've walked together from the beginning, facing challenges that many people can't even imagine. I'm not just his mother, but his foundation, his support, his home," confesses Elinilma, who speaks about the role she plays in her son's personal and football development. "Being the mother of a young athlete is learning to balance courage with protection. He's popular, loved, followed by many people... but I see beyond that: I see the boy. I see the human being. I see the heart. Popularity can be enchanting, but it can also be a burden. It can dazzle me, but it can also confuse him. And this is where confusion grows because I remind him, every day, of the values that truly matter: character before talent, humility before applause, and gratitude before achievements."

Objects from Girona in the dining room

At Girona, Savinho scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 41 matches. Míchel's team, currently in the relegation zone despite their recent victory against Alavés, finished third with 81 points and qualified for the Champions League. Even today, in his home in England, he displays pictures, shirts, and awards from his time in Catalonia prominently in his dining room, and he frequently interacts with the club on social media with messages as emphatic as: "I love you, Girona."

Then, Pep Guardiola called him up, and last year the Brazilian scored 3 goals and provided 13 assists in 48 matches. This season, in 13 games, he has scored 1 goal and provided 2 assists. "He's happy, he likes being part of Manchester City. He's going through the process. He has to take it one step at a time, everything will come in time," Elinilma explains, adding with undisguised pride that "he's made me a grandmother. Parenthood comes without a manual, but it comes with a purpose. Before, Savinho was only about conquering the world. When Zaya, my little one, arrived, something changed inside him: his gaze changed, his posture changed, the way he walked changed." "He's very fond of Míchel and is still in contact with many of his teammates from that year," Elinilma adds, remaining loyal to Girona even though now the matches are a struggle and not the festive atmosphere her son used to create. "I'm convinced he'll do well and the team will pull through. I haven't forgotten what we experienced in Girona. That's why I come, because of the affection I have for them. And because it's a way of thanking them for everything they've done for us," she concludes.