I have always liked sports: They are a unique form of entertainment that is not only about watching, but also about passion and the unique connection a fan makes with a team.
Some fans start following sports because they like a player or the team colors, but some keep building a connection to and passion for the sport.
I grew up with soccer as my favorite sport because everyone in my family likes it.
I had the dream that every kid has had at least once: becoming a professional soccer player. Obviously, while growing up, it just stayed as a dream as I focused on my education.
This didn’t let me down as a fan of the sport. But as I grew up, my taste in sports also changed.
I started watching other sports–such as baseball, Formula 1 and football–that could catch my attention, but I had never given them the opportunity.
That is, until I started watching basketball.
I got into basketball because my father always talked about Michael Jordan and how he considers him the greatest basketball player ever.
This led me to watch some basketball games two or three years ago, and I got so deep into the sport that I started practicing it by myself and with friends.
I watched all of last year’s NBA season. I followed the Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks.
I really like players such as Stephen Curry and Luka Dončić from these teams, but what caught my attention are the colors they use.
I grew up in Mexico where soccer is popular. You can see kids playing soccer on every street.
My family’s team is Cruz Azul, a team from the Liga MX (Mexican Soccer League). I follow the team because my dad always talked about how good the team was in the past.
Cruz Azul had not won the Mexican championship, Copa MX, for 23 years.
Fortunately, I got to see Cruz Azul win the cup in 2021. It was a special moment I shared with my family, especially with my father.
I always think that in a moment of joy, what matters is not what happened but who you share it with.
My fanaticism for soccer is greater than for other sports because I like to watch other leagues from around the world, especially European teams.
Since I started watching European soccer, I have become a fan of teams from different countries and their soccer leagues: Borussia Dortmund from Germany, Olympique Lyonnais from France, Arsenal from England, Feyenoord from the Netherlands and FC Barcelona from Spain.
The Barcelona team is one of my favorite soccer teams. I have followed them since I was 13, when I got to know more about European soccer.
I have nostalgic memories of the first time I saw a game from this team, especially since I got to know about my favorite soccer player, Lionel Messi.
Sports are valuable because they allow people to be passionate and share moments of happiness with strangers who are also fans.
Being a sports fan has given me a front-row seat to great moments in my life, a connection with family and friends and a passion that will stay with me forever.
