Why Brasil? I asked. “I just like Brazilian football.” I interrupted Ahmed while he was texting, determined not to let him go without a picture. He didn’t need much convincing. Ahmed is from Egypt but he lives in Montreal, again a number of continents meet in a single football shirt. I’ve never seen a guy on the street dressed in a jersey that fits him so … Continue reading Brazil, Ahmed
Why Fener? I asked. “I was born in Turkey and I’m a huge Fenerbahçe fan.” Doran was 4 when his family moved to Canada. He lives in Toronto but visits Montreal often (of course, I was thinking, it’s more fun here). He told me all of this while his friends, tough-looking but surely good at heart, were standing around and checking me out. Fenerbahçe might be … Continue reading FENERBAHÇE, DORAN
Why Barca? I asked. “Actually I’m a Liverpool fan, but I collect jerseys.” It’s nice to see Barcelona shirt with, now retired, Unicef logo. Ben lives in Montreal but comes from London, England. No London club could steal his heart as he grew up with a healthy doze of John Barnes, Ian Rush and company from Liverpool. He has in his collection every England jersey he could get … Continue reading BARCELONA, BEN
Why Real? I asked. “I just like Ronaldo a lot.” Not the answer I was looking for. Matthew was not eager to be photographed and I was not eager to photograph yet another Galacticos fan. But facing my first rejection, and not ready for it, I worked a bit harder to convince him to participate. With his training jacket over the jersey Matthew reminded me … Continue reading REAL MADRID, MATTHEW
Why Real? I asked. “I like the shirt and the team.” Juan was waiting for a bus, all crouched on the bench within the bus-stop glass enclosure, when I approached him. He was very kind and stepped outside so I can take a picture. This is the first long sleeves shirt I encountered, which reminded me that soon the jerseys will be hidden under sweaters … Continue reading REAL MADRID, JUAN
Why Everton? I asked. “I had no other option, I was born into it.” John is a friend. He was born in Liverpool, a genuine fan, and couldn’t even speak properly when he was taken to the Everton ground for the first time. Ever since, he is a die-hard. Rarely I saw him dressed in something else but in one of many Everton shirts he … Continue reading EVERTON, JOHN
Why Argentina? I asked. “My friend gave it to me as a gift.” I was turning around a street corner occupied by a bank (it almost always is) when through the dark glass, inside, I saw an Argentinian shirt at the ATM machine. As I was waiting I thought how all the national team shirts I met so far are South American. But out came … Continue reading Argentina, Yasir
Why Al-Sadd? I asked. “I played handball for the same club.” I had to look it up. Al-Sadd Club is a Qatari sport club, from Doha. It was established only in the 1960’s by four students who were good at football and didn’t want to join any other team, so they started their own. It was wonderful to meet Waleed who used to play handball for Al-Sadd … Continue reading AL-SADD, WALEED
Why Bayern? I asked, astounded. “Because of Ribéry, he’s our favourite player.” I was some 50m behind them when I notice two large number 7 walking away. The whole street was shiny red. I increased my walking speed thinking of the best way to approach them, to make sure they agree to be photographed. I can’t miss this opportunity, I thought. But suddenly they stopped … Continue reading BAYER MUNICH, MARIO and SAMUEL
Why Chelsea? I asked. “I don’t know, I just like Chelsea.” Sometimes we simply don’t know why we favour a particular team over all the others. Especially if that team is Chelsea; I would imagine it can be hard to come up with a good reason, unless one was born around Stamford Bridge. This nice fellow Eric is from Toronto though, and only visiting Montreal. When … Continue reading CHELSEA, ERIC
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