Interviews
JUE 13.04.2023
Erick Ramirez doesn’t recall exactly when he became a Real Madrid fan. Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival in 2009 might have something to do with it though. But what he does know is that the Spanish giants are “undoubtedly the greatest club of all-time.”
Real Madrid has won 68 domestic trophies including a record 35 LaLiga titles, 19 Copa del Rey and 12 Supercopa de España. In Europe, the club is just as successful by winning a record 21 trophies, including 14 European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles—double that of the tournament’s next successful club (AC Milan) on Europe’s grandest stage.
“Nobody wants to play Madrid,” Ramirez says. “They have this ‘scare factor.’ You don’t want Madrid in any game, especially in the Champions League. It’s undoubtedly the greatest club of all-time in my opinion. How can you not follow them?”
Like this favorite club, Ramirez, a 20-year-old undergraduate at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, tries to possess a “scare factor” when he’s playing FIFA online. So far, it’s worked as Ramirez continues to advance through the 2023 eLaLiga U.S. Challenge presented by Panini America.
He recently played against Jesus "Tecatito" Corona who selected Ramirez to represent the Sevilla FC and Mexican national team forward in the tournament's Final Event, played in person on June 3 in Miami. If he wins, he'll walk away with a trip to a VIP LaLiga experience.
“I love competing a lot,” Ramirez says. “You win a game, you win a certain prize. You lose, you don’t. To me, it brings a lot of joy to the game. I’ve been playing the game for a very long time.”
While Ramirez has only seen his beloved club in person once against Inter in the 2014 International Champions Cup at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California, if he is the grand prize winner of the eLaLiga U.S. Challenge, he’ll earn a trip to Spain for an all-inclusive LaLiga experience.
Ramirez hopes that means watching Vini Jr., Luka Modrić, Karim Benzema and Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Win, lose or draw, seeing the club play in Spain’s capital remains atop his bucket list.
“Oh man, that would be incredible,” he says. “That would be a dream. It has to happen. It’s one of those things that just has to happen.”
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
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