Colate Vallejo-Nágera, the Spanish businessman and president of football club Real Club Deportivo Badajoz, is described as devastated after a United States court ruling ended his years-long custody battle with Mexican singer Paulina Rubio over their teenage son, keeping the boy living with his mother in Miami.
A ruling that surfaced on Sunday, August 9, 2026, confirmed that Andrea Nicolás, known as Nico and now 15, must keep living with his mother in Miami, dismissing Vallejo-Nágera's request that the teenager move to Spain to live with him.
What the ruling says
Reports had previously described the ruling as devastating for Vallejo-Nágera without giving details, but the Spanish television programme "YAS Verano" has since published part of the text and its conclusions. According to the excerpts, the court denied the father's verified request to relocate his son and established that the mother would hold final authority over decisions relating to the boy's education.
The ruling also states that Vallejo-Nágera failed to demonstrate his claims with substantial and conclusive evidence, after he told the court in his own words that moving to Spain would be best for his son.
An emotional farewell in Madrid
Vallejo-Nágera had spent a month and a half on holiday with his son in Spain before driving him to Madrid airport on Sunday, August 9, for a flight back to Miami with his mother. It was that afternoon that he learned of the ruling against him.
A family source said his despair was absolute, adding that he had not expected such a ruling and broke down, but composed himself to say goodbye to Nico with a big hug in what the source called a very emotional moment. The tears came afterwards, the source said, as he watched the plane carrying his son take off.
Colate breaks his silence
Vallejo-Nágera's lawyer has advised him to avoid controversy and refrain from making statements that could further complicate the matter. Even so, the businessman wanted to make clear that in this case, the injured party is his son. When contacted, he preferred not to comment at this difficult time, asking for understanding and thanking people for their interest while sending his regards.
A message before the flight
Hours before watching Nico leave, the brother of chef and television personality Samantha Vallejo-Nágera had posted an emotional message on social media. He wrote that a summer full of memories was ending, and that nothing could beat their love, telling his son he loved him, alongside photographs from their family holiday. Nico replied that it had been a great summer at home, prompting his father to respond that he was the best son in the universe.
Will he appeal?
Journalist Beatriz Cortázar asked Vallejo-Nágera directly whether he planned to appeal the ruling. She said he did not have a clear answer, but that she sensed he was likely to let time do its work.
Journalist Pipi Estrada offered a different account after speaking with the businessman, saying he told her he plans to appeal the ruling. According to Estrada, Vallejo-Nágera is deeply saddened because he and his son are extremely close and the boy wants nothing more than to move to Spain to live with him. She said he cannot understand the judge's decision, which he did not expect at all, and that he loves Nico with all his heart while knowing his son wants to be with him.
