Valencian athletes are recognised for their sporting achievements on October 9th of each year, as part of the regional day. In this edition, Valencia CF player Carlos Soler received a Distinction for Sporting Merit award from the Generalitat Valenciana at the gala.

The midfielder, a product of the VCF Academy, won the silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with Spain this summer, and the regional government highlighted the tremendous milestone.

Joining Soler were other Valencian sportsmen and sportswomen who achieved medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games this past summer.

Valencia CF legend, Mario Kempes, was announced as the winner of the Distinción de la Generalitat award. Whilst the Argentine star was not able to attend the ceremony, he will be handed over the prize at a later date.