Parallel lives
<p>Growing up in Madrid during Franco’s reign, witnessing a new Spain, and finding Atlético Madrid fame – this is the story of Michael McCleary.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:700/1*mwLRQ7igJGXPeveeDISwGQ.jpeg" style="height:525px; width:700px" /></p>
<p>Brian and Michael McCleary in La Casa del Abuelo, Madrid (November 2021)</p>
<p>The first time I met Michael McCleary I presumed he was Spanish. Why wouldn’t I? We were, after all, in Madrid, sitting together on a pleasant October evening in the famous Vicente Calderon football stadium. He spoke just like any other Spaniard I had encountered and there was nothing about his physical appearance or dress sense that raised any suspicion. And like many Spaniards he too initially mistook my country of origin for Holland — that still happens. I think it’s me.</p>
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