Real Madrid Fan's Good Luck
April 18, 2013 7:57 AM   Subscribe

Grant Wahl tells the story of a devoted fan and José Mourinho, manager of Real Madrid. Abel Rodríguez, who works for the LA Metro system, has volunteered for Real Madrid soccer practices in Los Angeles. Last February, he traveled to see the Real Madrid-Barcelona Clásico, without a hotel reservation or even a ticket. The training facility's security guard wouldn't let him in, so he sat outside for 5 hours. What happened next sounds like a fairy tale.
posted by Ideefixe (9 comments total) 9 users marked this as a favorite
 
To Americans who don't follow soccer/football. Well Jose Mourinho is perhaps the best character in sports. Great manager, but this character he plays for the media - and I assume its a character it might be real. Is just, well. Special.

If only American sports could have guys who are both good at their jobs and exude the charisma he does.

Only man in the world I have crush on. Full stop.
posted by JPD at 8:06 AM on April 18, 2013 [1 favorite]


Well, that's nice!

"...the Real Madrid players were viewing him as a good-luck charm, going so far as to rub his stomach for positive vibes."

Aww...
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:14 AM on April 18, 2013


A good read! Zero interest in soccer but always glad to hear about a nice, regular guy getting something really cool.
posted by Glinn at 9:14 AM on April 18, 2013 [1 favorite]


The fact that Fergie and The Special One share a post-match drink is marvelous. I knew there must be more to their relationship than public jibes when Sir Alex started dressing like Mourinho (zip-up fleece and overcoat) for almost every match. And he tells Jose to hurry up, like the wine is going to get warm! Wonderful.
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 9:31 AM on April 18, 2013


Great story; thanks for posting it.
posted by languagehat at 9:38 AM on April 18, 2013 [1 favorite]


I remember at the start of the season when a player named "Jose Mourinho" with a team called "The Special One" was far and away in the lead of the Men in Blazers fantasy league. Davo and Rog were really really excited imagining that the Special One Himself was playing in their league.

When it turned out the team was actually managed by some dude named Tony, Davo remained positive - "This is just the sort of thing Mourinho would do, disguise himself as just a normal guy." Rog: "No he wouldn't." Davo: "Well, my Mourinho would."
posted by robocop is bleeding at 10:09 AM on April 18, 2013 [1 favorite]


great story!
posted by bitteroldman at 11:28 AM on April 18, 2013


That's a fantastic little sunshine story. Must've been an amazing time for the guy.
posted by Dysk at 11:31 AM on April 18, 2013


The fact that Fergie and The Special One share a post-match drink is marvelous. I knew there must be more to their relationship than public jibes when Sir Alex started dressing like Mourinho (zip-up fleece and overcoat) for almost every match. And he tells Jose to hurry up, like the wine is going to get warm! Wonderful.
Opposing managers sharing a private drink after the match is a tradition in English football. If you remember the scene in The Damned United Brian Clough's obsession with Don Revie began when he snubbed his post-match glass of red. (In reality I believe it began when Revie asked Clough to throw the game)

As silly as it sounds, it still goes on between managers who don't actively despise each other.
posted by fullerine at 1:22 PM on April 18, 2013


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