Interviews
VIE 28.05.2021
After playing soccer as a kid, Maurice Estrello fell out of touch with the sport in his teenage years, switching his attention to music. In his early 20s, he was reintroduced to soccer through a friend who was an Atlético de Madrid fan. His passion reignited, Maurice started following the club as well.
“They immediately hit me. Their style of play. The way [Diego] Simeone coaches. The relationship between the coach and players. The way that they’re the underdogs,” said Maurice.
He loved the underdog mentality and admired how the club would fight for number one even when no one else was rooting for them.
His introduction with the club started as Simeone was in the early days of his coaching career. He’s now followed the club through several cycles, noting that this season has been particularly exciting.
“Watching the new additions to the team has been really inspiring, like João Félix and Luis Suarez. I came in watching Fernando Torres and [Diego] Godín. There’s so much grit and they don’t give up. It doesn’t matter who plays for the team, it’s that same mentality. It’s a huge tribute to Simeone, he instills that passion.”
Maurice has taken that mentality and integrated it into his own team, one that plays in Atlético’s kits, in Dallas, TX. He bases his style of play off the club’s tactics.
This season, Maurice says, has a rollercoaster ride. He wasn’t a huge fan of Suarez when he signed for the club but admits that his opinion has changed this year.
“It’s been amazing to see his comeback. It’s because Simeone really believed in him.”
Despite the title coming down to the final matchday, Maurice had faith that the club would come out victorious.
“The joy from everybody when Suarez scored that goal was kind of crazy,” he said. “It’s been too long.”
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