Interviews
TUE 13.06.2023
“If FC Barcelona can do one thing, it’s turn people into fans of the sport,” says Alex Carrion.
The 37-year-old Barça fan originally from Miami now living in Chicago became a fan around 2010, not only from watching the Catalan club win its 20th LaLiga title in 2009/10, but also as many of its players including Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, Victor Valdés, Gerard Piqué and Sergio Busquests led Spain to the 2010 FIFA World Cup title that summer in South Africa.
So it’s no surprise when Carrion and his father planned a guys trip this past May, the destination was Barcelona. Carrion had never been to Europe and his father, Pedro, had never been to a live soccer match.
Besides eating their way around town, touring Las Ramblas and taking a trip to the beach, the Carrions also attended Barça’s match against Real Sociedad on May 20. Even though the home side was bested by the visitors 2-1, that didn’t dampen the day as FC Barcelona hosted its trophy celebration for winning its 27th domestic title.
“It was incredible,” Alex says. “The closest thing I had seen to that atmosphere was a USMNT game that was actually at a packed stadium. Other than that, I’m used to going to Chicago Fire games and MLS games here in the U.S. where they play in Soldier Field but they close off some of the top levels.
“It was crazy to watch a game with 88,000 fans singing the same songs and doing the same chants. It was pretty epic.”
Not only was Alex in awe of the atmosphere at Camp Nou, but Pedro, who isn’t a soccer fan, was also taken aback at his first live match.
“When we were at the game he was really interested in it and was like, ‘Oh my god, it looks so slow on TV but watching it this close I realize how intense the game actually is,’” Alex says. “My dad kept his eye on (Ousmane) Dembélé the whole time and was like, ‘I can't believe how fast that guy is.’
“I’m hoping now he’s more of a fan. Now he wants to come to Chicago and watch a Fire game, which will be very different.”
With the bar set high following the father-son bonding trip to Barcelona, Alex says attending El Clásico—which was their original plan this spring—is still on their radar for the future.
“Me and my dad haven’t really hung out too much since I was a little kid,” he says. “It was a pretty unique trip not only to see Barcelona play but just to be able to kind of bro out and hang out with my dad.”
FULL SERIES:
A Breakaway from Household Support
Real’s remontadas roped in this fan
Unexpected Encounter Leads to Unforgettable Experience
Sevilla Fandom Comes Full Circle
UD Almería unites community in New Jersey
Basque Roots Grow in Meaning for Boise Student
Local peña helps Celta Vigo fans overcome morriña
San Diego, the Birthplace of the first Cádiz Peña in the U.S.
Fate, luck and curiosity brought this fan to Atleti
Real Sociedad fandom blossoming in Boise
Growing up in awe of Sánchez, Real Madrid
Ortegas proudly promote Real Betis around the globe
¡Vamos mi Sevilla! ¡Vamos Nueva York!
Mexico’s Márquez Converted This Culé
Covid can’t stop this Valencia CF socio
Living near the Bernabéu led to this fan loving Real Madrid
How a U.S. Elementary School Principal Helped Save Real Oviedo
Growing the Beautiful Game in Montreal and Beyond
Uruguay’s Forlán Helped This Fan Fall in Love With Atleti
Ready to stick with RCD Mallorca through thick and thin
Behind this Barça Fan’s Pregame Ritual
A Fan’s Growing Barça Obsession in Toronto
Villarreal Academy Creates New Fans in Nebraska
Zamorano, Casillas Led this Fan to Real Madrid
All in on El Submarino Amarillo
Love, Marriage and Real Madrid
Watching Madrid at Bernabéu would be a “dream”
An Eibar fan’s journey from FIFA to fandom
Gamer Guillen closer to seeing Barça in Spain
Falling in Love with Real through FIFA
Dreaming of seeing Barça (and Messi)
A Barça bar is best for business
Bringing Real Madrid to Sin City
Following His Brother’s Footsteps
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