Three Argentinian fans who travelled 7,000 miles to see Bolton Wanderers at Wembley have called watching the team's trophy-winning victory last weekend 'the best moment of our lives'.
Matías Foti, 25, Nicolas Álvarez, 25 and Federico Di Rocco, 31, flew all the way from Buenos Aries to see their beloved Trotters win the Papa Johns Trophy on Sunday. They were rewarded with a 4-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle - Bolton's first cup competition victory since 1989.
The trio, who became Bolton fans after playing as them on FIFA, called Bolton fans their 'family' and described them as 'the best people in the world'.
READ MORE: Footie fans' joy after travelling 7,000 miles from Argentina to see team win at Wembley
“I can’t find words to explain this moment. It was the first game ever and we saw Bolton finally win a trophy after 34 years," Matías said. “The Bolton fans are the best people in the world. They welcomed us like family, really. Everyone asked for photos with us. It was unbelievable. We felt famous.
“I felt the connection with them. They’ve followed our journey and dream for many years, and now we can meet them in Wembley. It was an amazing experience, maybe one of the best moments of our lives."
He called the atmosphere 'electric' and spoke of how the special game had fulfilled a dream for the group of friends, who had never left Argentina before.
"There were more than 34,000 Bolton fans enjoying the game together and seeing the amazing performance from the team. It was a dream.
“We've never gone out of our country so this is the first time outside and it's the UK. Only our love for Bolton Wanderers can make us do it. We have been dreaming about this moment for eight years, and it’s even more for Federico because he is a little older than Nico and I.”
Sports reporters Matías and Nicolas came across the Lancashire side eight years ago when they chose to play as them on the FIFA video game.
But they now see themselves as die-hard fans and have even set up a Spanish-speaking supporters club with members from ten South American countries.
And after being at Wembley to see Ian Evatt's side lift silverware, they plan to watch the League One side in action over Easter and meet fellow fans at a boozer in Bolton.
Matías added: “It was a lot of effort because the economic situation here in Argentina is awful. Every year was more difficult for us to travel to Bolton.
“We are looking forward to meeting Bolton fans and giving them a big hug because we feel like a Boltonian, we feel like we were born there.”
READ NEXT:
- "It's an accident waiting to happen": Angry residents put up SPIKES to stop problem parking
- The deadly weapons seized by police after underworld disputes spilled onto the streets
- Teacher 'banned indefinitely' after drunkenly headbutting 16-year-old - and told to pay him £1,295 in compensation
- Energy company wants to charge pizza restaurant owner £32,000 to exit 'extortionate' contract
- Wythenshawe brothers targeted wealthy couples for Rolex and Patek Philippe watches in upmarket Hale - they've now been jailed, along with three others
