End of an Era at Nou Miramar: FC l’Escala Captains Marc Gelmà and Josu Prieto Retire

The final whistle of a season is a routine occurrence in football, but for two men at Futbol Club l’Escala, the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign carries a permanent weight. On a quiet Friday afternoon in Catalonia, as the sun dipped low over the training grounds, Marc Gelmà and Josu Prieto stepped off the pitch for the last time. For these two captains, it wasn’t just the end of a season—it was the end of their playing careers.

The atmosphere was heavy with the kind of emotion that only accompanies a lifetime of dedication to the game. Having already bid farewell to the supporters during their final match at the Nou Miramar, the closing training session served as a private, poignant bookend to their time as professional athletes. Their departure marks the loss of two “emblems” of Girona football, players whose names have become synonymous with leadership and resilience in the region.

The Weight of the Captain’s Armband

Retiring from sport is rarely a linear process. As the pair reflected on their decision, the sentiment was clear: “You’re never prepared to leave it.” For Gelmà and Prieto, the decision to hang up their boots was not born of a lack of passion, but of the practical realities that eventually catch up to every athlete.

According to reports from the club, the retirements are driven by a combination of physical toll and professional obligations. In the demanding world of regional football, the balance between maintaining a high competitive level and managing a career outside the lines of the pitch becomes a precarious tightrope. For these two leaders, the time had come to prioritize their health and their futures beyond the game.

A Journey Through Girona’s Football Heartlands

To understand the impact of Gelmà and Prieto on FC l’Escala, one must look at their broader footprints across the Girona province. Both players are regarded as pillars of the local game, with careers that saw them feature for other prominent regional sides including Peralada and Figueres.

Josu Prieto, retiring at 33, brings a pedigree that adds a layer of prestige to the local circuit. A former talent of the renowned La Masia academy, Prieto’s journey from one of the world’s most elite youth systems to the heart of l’Escala exemplifies the deep connection between top-flight development and the grassroots passion of Catalan football. His technical proficiency and tactical intelligence, honed in his youth, provided a stabilizing force for the “anxover” (anchovy) squad.

Together, Gelmà and Prieto formed a leadership duo that extended beyond tactical instructions. They were the cultural custodians of the dressing room, bridging the gap between the veteran core and the emerging youth players. Their presence at the Nou Miramar provided a sense of continuity and identity for a club that prides itself on its community roots.

The Physical and Professional Toll

Football is a game of attrition. While the headlines often focus on the glamour of the top tiers, the reality for players in the regional leagues is one of grueling schedules and physical sacrifice. The “physical reasons” cited for their retirement are a common narrative in the sport, where the accumulation of injuries and the slowing of recovery times eventually outweigh the desire to compete.

For many players at this level, the transition is also a professional necessity. Balancing the rigors of training and matchdays with full-time professional careers is a challenge that eventually demands a choice. By stepping away now, Gelmà and Prieto are choosing to transition into the next phase of their lives while their legacies at the club remain untarnished.

Life After the Pitch

The question that now looms for both men is “what comes next?” For a player who has spent their entire adult life defined by the rhythm of the football calendar, the void left by retirement can be jarring. However, the leadership qualities they displayed as captains—discipline, communication, and strategic thinking—are highly transferable skills.

Whether they remain involved in the sport through coaching, scouting, or move entirely into their professional fields, their influence on FC l’Escala will persist. The Nou Miramar will feel different without their presence in the tunnel, but the standard they set for professionalism and loyalty serves as a blueprint for the next generation of captains.

As the club looks toward the next season, the challenge will be filling the leadership vacuum left by two men who gave everything to the shirt. In the short term, the community of l’Escala celebrates two careers well-played and a legacy of service to the local game.

FC l’Escala is expected to announce its new leadership structure and squad updates for the upcoming season in the coming weeks. Fans and former teammates are encouraged to share their tributes to Gelmà and Prieto via the club’s official channels.