Why Real Madrid? I asked. “Because of Ronaldo. He is the best. I watched him on TV in Myanmar many times”, said a very shy Mohammad Alam, the cutest footballist ever. Mohammad Alam is a 10 year old Rohingya refugee. In the picture above he is waiting, with thousands other hungry kids for cooked food to be distributed at Tengkhali refugee camp near Cox’s Bazaar, in … Continue reading REAL MADRID, MOHAMMAD ALAM
It could have been any other of over twenty original shirts from different countries he owns, but gods of coincidence decided it’s going to be a Buriram United’s dark blue Tao will wear that day, almost a year ago between protesters in Hong Kong’s Admiralty. The protest colours, yellow was the most dominant, exploded over central Hong Kong in October 2014 and I was practically colour … Continue reading BURIRAM UNITED, TAO
Why City? I asked. “I was visiting England in 2005. I liked Rooney a lot and liked United. But, while I was in Manchester, it was City that played the season home opener (vs. West Bromwich) and I went to see the game. It was a terrible one, scoreless. But, I came back home Manchester City fan.” I don’t go to Starbucks often but I spotted … Continue reading MANCHESTER CITY, ROB
Why Colombia? I asked. “My girlfriend.” Tom was born in Canada after his parents came from Hungary. He speaks fluent Hungarian and we had a nice chat (not in Hungarian) about second generation immigrants and languages here in Montreal. But, it was his girlfriend who turned him into a soccer fan. We agreed that Colombia has a very good team and had a nice showing … Continue reading COLOMBIA, TOM
Why Liverpool? I asked. “You know why. Just write it down.” I do know why: for the same reasons as this guy. Sasha and I have been best friends for thirty years and we discussed football related matters about million times, so I know. He writes for living; about his literary genius you can read all over the internet. Better yet, just pick up one of his books. … Continue reading LIVERPOOL, ALEKSANDAR
Why Raja Casablanca? I asked. “Best, best, best” The initial enthusiasm of someone who thinks he is a pinball wizard quickly deflated after a machine, accustomed to someone’s else hands, hungry swallowed my coins. With great regret I made conclusion that my magic somehow vanished (I blame digital world) so I moved to the next room where local boys were attending what looked like a … Continue reading RAJA CLUB ATHLETIC, HASSAN
WTF?, I asked. “You know, Bird loves Liverpool”, said one of his friends. The idea and and rule of Footballists, simple and never-changing, is to talk and take pictures of people wearing shirts of their favourite football teams. This is, obviously, a special edition on our blog so let’s make an exception. If Khun Bird would be wearing his favourite shirt today the gods would … Continue reading LIVERPOOL, KHUN BIRD
Why Barca? I asked. “I hate Barcelona. My club is Chelsea.” In front of a local carwash, this Labour day early morning, John and his two colleagues were waiting for the first customers to arrive. As I passed by I just said “Nice shirt” with my thumbs up. “No, not really.” he replied to my surprise. After he told me that Chelsea is his team I asked, obviously, why … Continue reading BARCELONA, JOHN
Why Ecuador? I asked. “And I’m not even from Ecuador… I got it as a gift a few years ago.” The rain had just started and I only had my phone on me (‘the best camera is the one you have with you’ as someone famously said) but I decided to stop Camil anyway. He grew up in Montreal but his parents come from France and Morocco. … Continue reading ECUADOR, CAMIL
Why Argentina? I asked. “I have many friends that are from Argentina.” I walked into a store and there was Yanick, working. He was kind enough to step outside so I can photograph him. Yanick is from Montreal but has a strong connection with South America, his girlfriend is from Peru. Along the way he befriended a few Argentinians and started following their national team. … Continue reading ARGENTINA, YANICK
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