Gabriel Baroli, an Argentine footballer, arrives in Spain as one of the biggest signings of one of the most powerful clubs. He is a peculiar guy – compared not only with the prejudices that accompany footballers, but also with those of society in general -: he likes reading, art-house films, theatre or dinners with interesting conversations. He has, like everyone else, his own particular baggage. An alcohol-addicted father who was not present for a long time. And, above all, an extreme loneliness that accompanied him during his years in a residence for young footballers in La Plata. There, in a key stage for the sentimental education of people, Baroli felt alone. He was afraid of making a mistake, of not being up to par. But he was also distressed by his feelings. Because he was attracted to boys in an environment in which homosexuality was an option that was not contemplated. Once in Madrid, under the spotlight of media attention and with the impact that football has, all that pressure shoots up exponentially. Money, love and public opinion come into play. And an opportunity opens up for audacity, for someone to step forward and share their experience so that other young people can have a guide and avoid fear of their own feelings. Another very different thing will be how the football ecosystem accepts this possibility in order to move forward.
Keep quiet (Plaza & Janés) is the first novel by sports journalist Lorena González. A book that, with homosexuality in football as its main theme, addresses many other issues. Mental health, toxic relationships, the almost systematic denial of the human condition by media figures, the fear of knowing oneself, suicide or hostility towards those who are different. A story that delves into the soul of football through an unexpected love story, which shakes the existential foundations of two people and invites reflection on prejudices and the pain generated by narrow-mindedness.
