Mixed feelings. This is how Mateo Ramírez, son of former footballer Jhon Mario Ramírez, defined his debut in professional football. With more than 15,000 people dressed in blue, the Nemesio Camacho El Campín stadium exploded in shouts and applause when the microphones announced the entry of this central midfielder, at the service of Patriotas, who played his first minutes in the FPC against the team in which his dad achieved glory, Millionaires.
“I did not expect such a cute tribute from the Millionaires fans, I expected something small. It leaves me with feelings of wanting more minutes, of wanting to continue playing. The race begins here, ”Mateo told FUTBOLRED after the emotional match that took place last Monday in Bogotá.
It is not easy to debut against Millonarios in El Campín; However, the fans received Ramírez as one more ambassador. Mateo entered, received the captain’s band of the Boyacá team and remembered the lessons his father gave him during his sports training. Jhon Mario was present.
“He always told me to come in with personality, with character, he insisted on always looking back, knowing what to do before receiving the ball. He insisted that I have the technique, that I should not be afraid, that I take risks. Everything he taught me was good. “
“I felt that he was there, I felt that he supported me. He told me ‘without fear, as I have taught you’”, He specified.
Like Jhon Mario, Mateo carries Millonarios in his heart, his gratitude to the fans ‘will be eternal’, because the support has been unconditional in one of the most difficult moments of his life. The directors of Millionaires and Patriots have also played an important role.
“I can only thank Don César Guzmán (president of Patriotas), Patriotas, Dr. Enrique Camacho (president of Millonarios), teacher Gamero, Millonarios and all that beautiful fans for how they have behaved with me, with my family, for the affection towards my dad. I only have words of gratitude… To tell all the Millionaires fans that my respect and affection for them will be eternal. I am very grateful for the affection they always showed Jhon Mario Ramírez, because they made him happy, they were the second love of his life ”.
For Mateo, his dream is to become as big as his dad, play and become an idol of Millionaires. He has not had contact with the directives of the blue in sports matters, but he does maintain a good relationship with Alberto Gamero, a coach of the capital’s team who has expressed his pleasure to have him one day in the squad.
“The teacher (Gamero) has always expressed his affection to me, he has always been very affectionate with me. He has always expressed his footballing taste for me, at the time he said that, when he had more games and more experience, he would like to take me to Millonarios or in the team where he was”
“There has not been any kind of approach, but the dream is there. I dream of playing in Millonarios, I dream of being an idol there, giving joy to that beautiful fan and giving them back all that love they have given to the name of the ‘old man’ and my family”.
Mateo hopes to add minutes with Patriotas, a team that opened the doors to his father as a coach and now gives him the opportunity as a footballer. Being a starter and consolidating in Patriotas, becoming Millionaires, shining abroad and playing for the Colombian National Team are part of his dreams.
“All this has been very nice, there are mixed feelings, happiness and sadness. The expectations are high, to add minutes and to begin to gain confidence. I feel that here in the team I can do it, I hope to continue playing, consolidate myself and reach Millonarios, the largest team in the country”.
“My dream is to play for the Colombian National Team, to be the starter and to play in Europe, in one of the greats. Being in the elite of football, but consolidated, as a starter. Mateo Ramírez’s dream is to put his family to live as they deserve, that they never lack anything in life”.
At 21, Mateo has very high goals, which he hopes to achieve in the short term. Following in his father’s footsteps and becoming an idol ambassador is his great goal. This is the legacy of the eternal Jhon Mario Ramírez …
“The love for his loved ones, the love for the family, the sense of belonging for what is ours, for Millionaires, that love for ours, that concern that he always showed towards others. He was always a person who fought for others before him, that’s how it was in the family, with friends … Jhon Mario’s legacy is that self-love for each of the family members, things, and the team, “he concluded. .
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