Raúl García and a celebration to raise awareness about mental health

There was an especially important moment during Matchday 5 of the LALIGA EA SPORTS season, in the match which Rayo Vallecano won 3-1 against CA Osasuna. It was Raúl García de Haro who opened the scoring for Los Rojillos in the 27th minute, firing a strike beyond the goalkeeper’s reach, before Rayo Vallecano mounted a comeback with a 50th-minute Abdul Mumin goal, a 66th-minute Andrei Ratiu goal and a stoppage-time effort from Unai López. 

It wasn’t just the quality of these goals that stood out, but one of the celebrations too. When Raúl García fired in the opener, instead of celebrating as you’d expect he pointed a finger at his head and at his heart. He wanted to share a message to all those struggling with their mental health, highlighting the importance of talking about these issues, of asking for help and of trying to support those who are suffering in silence. This was an important gesture and it quickly went viral on social media. The player was deliberately trying to shine a light on an issue that is sometimes overlooked in the world of sports. His message was clear: mental health is just as important as physical health and it’s time to give it the attention it deserves. 

Raúl García’s celebration resonated with fans, teammates and other athletes. He was widely praised for addressing this topic that remains taboo in many circles. Furthermore, his gesture has highlighted the need for greater support and resources for mental health in sport. Clubs and sporting organisations, including LALIGA, nowadays recognise the importance of providing access to mental health professionals and of creating an environment where athletes can feel safe to voice their concerns.