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Argentinian Bolton fans travel 7,000 miles to watch team win at Wembley
Published 15:21 3 Apr 2023 BST
Updated 15:21 3 Apr 2023 BST
Homesport
It was the first time they'd ever been abroad
Three devoted Bolton fans flew 7,000 miles from Argentina to watch their team win at Wembley.
Matías Foti, 25, and his mates Nicolas Álvarez, 25 and Federico Di Rocco, 31, made the trip from South America to watched their beloved Trotters win 4-0 against Plymouth in the Papa John's Trophy final.
Sports reporters Matías and Nicolas discovered the Lancashire side eight years ago after choosing to play as them on the FIFA video game, and have supported them ever since.
They're devoted fans now and have even set up a set up a Spanish-speaking supporters club with members from ten South American countries.
Their trip to Wembley to watch the League One side was the first time any of them have ever left their homeland, and they were rewarded with a storming success for Bolton.
Matías said: “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.
“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.
“The atmosphere was electric.
"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.”
The trio plan on watching Bolton again over Easter and hope to meet some fellow fans at a local boozer.
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.”
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