During my travels I have met Lionel Messi countless times - not in person, of course, or in any stadium, but only in his famous number 10 jersey, faded and torn, usually worn by a stranger who has nothing in common with the millionaire superstar other than the famous name and number on his back.
The idea for my project was born. "FC REAL UNITED - the League of Jersey Champions" - a series of portraits of all those "Messis, Ronaldos or Haalands" whose goal is not to reach the final of the Champions League, but to succeed in the daily struggle of life.
FC REAL UNITED
... has less to do with football and more to do with real life outside the world's famous football stadiums. It highlights the ubiquity of football as a global phenomenon whose appeal reaches the farthest corners of the globe.
The jerseys of international football stars are ubiquitous. Millions of ordinary people of all ages and genders around the world wear club shirts in their daily lives. As voluntary testimonials, they increase the fame of the real stars of the game and thus their value to the most prestigious international top clubs, without any benefit and without even the slightest hint of glamour for themselves.