military conflicts
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Julian Calero reveals survival after witnessing tragedy in Madrid train bombings

Nov 17, 2025, 1:00 AM10
(Update: Nov 17, 2025, 1:00 AM)
association football player
municipality and capital of Spain
community in Río Cañas, Caguas, Puerto Rico
comarca of Spain

Julian Calero reveals survival after witnessing tragedy in Madrid train bombings

  • Julian Calero became the manager of Levante and has a background in law enforcement.
  • He was among the first responders to the devastating Madrid train bombings in 2004.
  • Reflecting on his life experiences, Calero remains confident in Levante's future in La Liga.
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In Spain, Julian Calero, now the manager of La Liga team Levante, reflects on his life experiences and the tragedies he faced growing up in Parla, a town known for drug issues. He experienced the terrible Madrid train bombings of 2004 firsthand as he was one of the first responders on the scene, witnessing the chaos and devastation firsthand. Later, he played a significant role in dealing with the fallout from Spain’s worst natural disaster in years, flash floods that claimed 232 lives. Following these events, Calero decided to step away from his playing career at the age of 29, believing football was no longer central to his life. He transitioned into coaching, opting to lead Oviedo as a manager before finding himself unexpectedly called to participate in the World Cup in 2018. Interestingly, he had anticipated missing out due to focusing on his role as a head coach, but circumstances changed dramatically, showing that life often leads us in unexpected directions. Calero's professional journey continues to evolve as he expresses confidence in his team Levante's resilience in the league despite the challenges they have faced.

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