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
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
Why Venezuela? I asked. “A friend from the States sent it to me as a gift. He liked Chavez and sympathized with Venezuela while Chavez was still alive.” Venezuela’s national team, nicknamed La Vinotinto, has never qualified for the World Cup. I imagine, there is not much space for football in the nation crazy about baseball. But La Vinotinto jersey made it all the way to … Continue reading VENEZUELA, BORIS
Why Stoke City? I asked. “I like Stoke.” Then, after I insisted on more, he added “I like them all (teams), I like football.” Which explains it all. It was the first time I met someone wearing the Potters‘ jersey and I was trilled. Koffi and his family arrived to Montreal, from Ivory Coast, only two months ago. I quickly reminded him how Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Ivory Coast … Continue reading STOKE CITY, KOFFI
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