Bangladesh: Real Madrid’s home, away from home

This Article is in loving reminiscence of Asif Hassan, a lifelong Actual Madrid fan and former Peñista from Peña Madridista Bangladesh. He handed away as a consequence of coronary heart issues on June 1, 2022. Asif left a very stunning legacy of supporting this membership as he took a lot of Actual Madrid shirts even on his remaining go to to the hospital the place he breathed his final breath. Asif additionally leaves his mom behind, who he cherished greater than anybody. Relaxation in peace, Asif.

Tv was launched in Bangladesh within the mid-Sixties — half-a-decade earlier than the independence of the nation. Within the Nineteen Eighties, the magic field began to grow to be extra standard with native TV dramas, and the American TV collection Macgyver caught on quickly. Even within the 90s, having considered one of these bins was an indication of luxurious. Following any world sport, in flip, on a scale how we do proper now, was just about unthinkable again within the day.

An entire era of Actual Madrid followers have been born in Bangladesh simply across the identical time Actual Madrid had launched Los Galacticos.

The 2002 world cup — the primary ever in Asia — naturally grabbed the eye of Asian nations greater than some other World Cup. The timing of the event coincided with Actual Madrid’s brewing of the Galacticos in a means that many younger followers obtained hooked to Actual inside a few years. Bangladesh has an especially robust following of English golf equipment too — Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester Metropolis, Manchester United — and have official fan golf equipment there for these groups.

However the affection for Actual Madrid stored brimming inside that era and now, like different passionate Madridistas, they even observe the flight path of Actual Madrid’s aircraft if the climate is a bit frisky.

Bangladesh is now dwelling to 2 completely different Peñas of Actual Madrid. Peña Madridista Bangladesh is the pioneer on this regard. After 10 years of group actions on social media, public gatherings, social occasions, and unconditional assist of the membership, they have been formally acknowledged by Actual Madrid C.F. in December 2019 because the first-ever official supporters membership of Actual Madrid in Bangladesh. Peña Madridista Bangladesh — regionally generally known as PMBD — has been a relentless presence on social media, Bengali podcasts, and with their well-known Champions League remaining stay screenings.

This group has been organizing stay screenings of each Champions League remaining since La Decima, in the identical restaurant the place folks even maintain superstitions reminiscent of sitting in the identical seat throughout each remaining. We are able to’t actually blame them as they at the moment have a profitable streak of 5 – 0 with these screenings.

Peña Madridista Bangladesh can also be an avid admirer of Managing Madrid. I’m a Peñista of PMBD and I had the privilege of co-hosting the El Clasico preview podcast with Kiyan in Toronto, in 2021. The PMBD crew additionally attended the Managing Madrid podcast that was held in Mumbai, making a visit all the way in which from Dhaka, and shared an exquisite night, listening to Manging Madrid’s Om Arvind.

Bangladesh has extra connections with the reigning Spanish and European Champions. Actual Madrid legend and three-peat-winning supervisor Zinedine Zidane visited Bangladesh in 2006, simply after retiring as a participant. The person who as soon as gave hassle to the likes of Paolo Maldini and Javier Zanetti spent a day dribbling previous Bangladeshi faculty children. Zidane was acquired with nice love and affection throughout this go to.

Picture credit score ought to learn FARJANA Ok. GODHULY/AFP through Getty Pictures

Former Actual Madrid forwards Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria performed a pleasant for Argentina in Bangladesh in 2011. Higuain and Di Maria have been each on the rating sheet.

The true euphoria of soccer in Bangladesh could possibly be felt through the World Cup. You wouldn’t understand this nation is ranked 188th within the FIFA rankings in case you observe their insanity up shut. Each constructing, every bit of structure other than authorities buildings in Bangladesh could have the flag of Brazil or Argentina through the world cup. There are followers of Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Spain too however there are only a few in numbers in comparison with the military of followers Brazil and Argentina have on this land.

Picture by NurPhoto/NurPhoto through Getty Pictures

The youthful, newer, and smarter era of Actual Madrid followers hailing from Bangladesh are simply as obsessed with our membership as followers from any a part of the world the place Madridismo is really considered a singular feeling. The language of soccer and the magic of Actual Madrid can’t be sure by languages, cultures, or borders.

When the Bernabeu sings Hala Madrid Y Nada Mas, 8500 kilometers away from Madrid, Bangladeshi Madridistas do the identical, from college halls, in dwelling rooms, from stay screenings, in entrance of their screens with the identical authenticity, affection and emotion that makes supporting Actual Madrid a as soon as in a lifetime expertise, regardless of the place you’re.