Podcast Summary: Más de uno — "Tertulia: Alcaraz se consagra"

Host: Carlos Alsina | Show: Onda Cero — Más de uno
Date: 2 February 2026

Overview

This lively morning episode of "Más de uno" centers on three main axes:

• The tennis triumph of Carlos Alcaraz, and his rise in Spanish sports and public imagination.
• Reflections and debates on Spain’s social change, triggered by the death of comic actor Fernando Esteso.
• An in-depth roundtable on the political climate: upcoming Aragón elections, the position of key parties (especially Vox and PP), and the shadow of ex-president Zapatero’s consultancy dealings.

The tone combines Alsina’s informative and humorous style with the spirited banter and analysis of regular tertulianos (Debate Panelists) including Rosa Belmonte, Rubén Amón, Marta García, Pilar Gómez, Javier Caravaggio, and David Jiménez Torres.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Carlos Alcaraz: A New Legend?

(00:47–03:41; 12:24–20:12)

• Media & Public Reaction:
  The press is ablaze after Alcaraz’s spectacular Grand Slam win in Australia, with headlines debating if he is already a "legend" or just on the path.

  • [02:23] Carlos Alcaraz himself downplays the legend label:

    “Una leyenda se forja durante mucho tiempo... A mí me gustaría que no me lo llamen ahora, sino cuando yo, el día de mañana..."
    (A legend is forged over a very long time. I’d rather not be called that now, but when, one day, I’ve really earned it.)

• Comparisons to Tennis Greats:
  Alsina references how even Djokovic had to outlast Nadal and Federer for true recognition. Alcaraz’s victory signals a generational shift.

• Panel Reflections & Friendly Debates:
  There’s ribbing over which tertuliano doubted Alcaraz’s rise — especially Rubén, who’s good-naturedly roasted for past skepticism that Alcaraz could go “beyond the quarterfinals.”

  • [14:05] Pilar:

    "Dudas de su talento."
    (You doubted his talent.)

  The pressure of premature comparisons to Nadal is discussed, with the panel agreeing these can be unfair to a young player.

• Notable Quote

  • [03:22] Carlos Alcaraz:

    "Ahora me acuerdo de la gente que ha dicho que no lo iba a conseguir... A los que no creían en mí."
    (Now I recall those who said I wouldn't make it... those who didn’t believe in me.)

• Humor & Fashion:
  Marta jokes about Alcaraz’s outfit at the final (“Iba vestido de azafata”), and Alsina coins “alcarazofobia.”

  • [20:00] Marta:

    "No, en indumentaria es intolerable. En serio. Iba vestido de azafata. No se puede salir vestido de azafata para jugar tenis."

• Meta-Humor:
  The panel pokes fun at their own punditry, with Rosa admitting she's never watched a tennis match but opines anyway—a deliberate send-up of tertulia culture.

2. Social Change via Nostalgia: Death of Fernando Esteso

(21:16–27:57; 31:11–31:34)

• Cultural Significance:
  Discussion turns to Fernando Esteso, an emblematic figure of 70s-80s Spanish comedy (“La Ramona pechugona”). Rosa and Rubén contextualize his work as a reflection of Spain’s moral opening post-Franco, albeit often through a coarse, now outdated lens.

• Debate: Cancel Culture & Historic Judgement
  The tertulia explores whether it’s fair or useful to judge past entertainment by today’s social standards. Rosa argues for historical perspective, while Pilar insists that much of the period’s humor was a product of a society “profundamente poco avanzada en el respeto al prójimo.”

  • [26:07] Pilar:

    "Como si hacer chistes machistas o racistas u homófobos fuera el súmmum de la libertad de expresión..."

• Question:
  What is today’s equivalent to that era’s “transgressive” comedy, and does pop culture still have true irreverence? Consensus: No clear equivalence; there’s a sense culture has become tamer, with “provocation” now monopolized by political extremes online.

• Notable Quote:

  • [27:57] Marta:

    "No hay una equivalencia ... la cultura está totalmente amaestrada y amansada. Yo no veo resquicios de subversión..."

3. Political Landscape: Aragón Election, Vox’s Rise, and PSOE’s Troubles

(31:11–63:14)

• Aragón Polls Analysis:
  Alsina reviews the polling situation ahead of Sunday’s autonomous elections:

  • PP (Azcón) widely predicted to win, but without majority — would need Vox to govern.
  • Vox is surging, potentially doubling its seats.
  • PSOE (Pilar Alegría) faces historic lows; Sumar and Podemos nearly invisible.

• Roundtable Analysis:

  • [36:17] David Jiménez Torres:

    "La gran sorpresa puede ser hasta dónde va a escalar Vox. ... Es preocupante, porque el PP convoca estas elecciones para no depender de Vox y no sale."

  • [38:25] Javier Caravaggio:

    "En el contexto actual, el éxito ... para el Partido Popular no es dejar de depender de Vox, sino sencillamente mantenerse como el primer partido ..."

• Strategic Questions:

  • Does voting to ‘stop the far right’ (Vox) actually strengthen them?
  • Is a fragmented left simply ceding territory to a rightwing coalition?
  • Is Vox gaining votes from the disenchanted left as a protest vehicle?

• On PSOE’s Future:
  Rosa and Pilar state that even repeat electoral disasters won’t trigger changes in Sánchez’s PSOE; appointed loyalists like Alegría will stay regardless of results.

4. Government, Zapatero & Media Scandals

(63:14–68:47)

• The Zapatero Consultancy Scandal:
  Alsina summarizes the latest about ex-President Zapatero, who received €450,000 over six years for consultoría to a friend’s company under judicial investigation (related to Plus Ultra airline and possible links to Venezuela policy).

• Panel Analysis:

  • [65:35] Javier Caravaggio: Raises concern about potential “tráfico de influencias” (influence peddling), not just legal ethics but geopolitical consequences.
  • [66:59] Rosa Belmonte: Notes how aggressively PSOE figures rally to defend Zapatero—an indicator of the case’s seriousness.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Alcaraz and Public Expectation:

  • [14:05] “Dudas de su talento.” — Pilar Gómez
  • [02:23] “Una leyenda se forja durante mucho tiempo.” — Carlos Alcaraz

• Debate About Judging the Past:

  • [26:07] “Como si hacer chistes machistas o racistas u homófobos fuera el súmmum de la libertad de expresión.” — Pilar Gómez

• On Political Deadlock:

  • [38:25] “El éxito en el mundo real ... es mantenerse como el primer partido ... y estar en condiciones de gobernar.” — Javier Caravaggio

• Cultural Change/Satire:

  • [27:57] “No hay una equivalencia ... la cultura está totalmente amaestrada y amansada.” — Marta García

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:37–01:47: Opening news, Bad Bunny’s Grammy speech on immigration.
• 01:47–03:41: Alcaraz’s media headlines, self-reflection, and responses.
• 12:24–20:12: Start of the tertulia, group banter about Alcaraz, pundit accountability.
• 21:16–27:57: Reflection on Fernando Esteso’s career, evolution of Spanish comedy, “cancel culture.”
• 31:11–38:25: Aragón election polling: detailed review and first round of predictions.
• 38:25–55:12: Deeper analysis on Vox’s surge, fragmented left, and the future of PP/Socialist strategy.
• 63:14–65:35: Brief on Zapatero consultancy investigation.
• 65:35–68:47: Panel reactions and comparison to other international cases.

Final Notes

The episode provides a dynamic and comprehensive snapshot of Spanish current affairs, deftly weaving sporting triumph, cultural nostalgia, and hard politics. Carlos Alsina’s leadership fosters both sharp analysis and humor, balanced by well-delineated panelist voices. A must-listen for anyone seeking to understand Spain’s mood in early 2026.

Advertisements and extended introductions/outros have been excluded for clarity and conciseness.