Editor’s note: this week, Ryan McCain joined Into the Calderón as our newest staff writer. We thought it would be a cool idea for Ryan to introduce himself to you and talk about his journey as an American
Atlético fan (there aren’t that many of us)! We hope you enjoy his debut article below.
Hello! Allow me to introduce myself — my name is Ryan, and I’ve been a fan of Atlético de Madrid since 2014. As an American, English-speaking Atleti fan, I’ve relied on Into the Calderón as a great source of content and connection to the club, so I can’t thank Jeremy and the team enough for bringing me on.
Hopefully I don’t embarrass them too badly with my not-so-funny jokes and my tendency to overemphasize why Antoine Griezmann is a top-five footballer of all time.
Also, as proof that I’ve actually attended an Atleti match: my best friend and I saw Julián Alvarez score in the rain last season during a classic unocerismo win against Athletic Club.
Well, if you’ve made it this far, bravo — I’ll try to keep it riveting the rest of the way. My Atleti journey started when I was playing FIFA against my friend Spencer. I was relatively new to world football and wanted to get more involved, but I didn’t really know where to begin. I’ve always loved video games, so I figured I’d give FIFA a shot.
My friend always used Atlético Madrid — and boy, were they a problem in that game. With a back line of Godín, Miranda, Juanfran, and Filipe Luís, it’s easy to see why. That got me curious, so I started looking into Atleti more.
The more I learned, the more I was hooked: the idea of being the “team of the people,” the passion of the fans, “the man in black” going absolutely wild on the touchline, the commitment to lockdown defense, the underdog spirit that annoyed Europe’s giants — and, most importantly, the mantra “Sufrir, sufrir, sufrir y volver a ganar.” All of it drew me in completely.
The first few years, I paid attention, but I definitely didn’t base my entire personality around the club like I do now. I have vague memories of Atleti winning La Liga at the Camp Nou and the run to the Champions League final (where, let’s be honest, they were robbed).
In the years that followed, I tried to watch matches whenever I could. Spanish football wasn’t nearly as accessible in the 2010s as it is today (even with how poor ESPN’s coverage can be), but I loved the style of play. I loved the defensive attitude and the pure frustration other clubs felt when Cholo would produce yet another 1-0 win.
The 2015 and 2016 seasons were the first ones I followed religiously — and truthfully, I have one person to thank for that: Antoine Griezmann. Not just Grizi, though — the entire vibe of that 2016 team was special. The home kit (which I’m wearing as I type this) and the away kit were…mwah, chef’s kiss, and the moments from that season were even better.
Atleti’s insane 88-point La Liga campaign (I’m still in disbelief about the defeats at Gijón and Levante) and their Cinderella run through the Champions League made that season unforgettable from start to finish. One of my favorite memories is watching Griezmann’s (definitely onside) goal against Bayern in the second leg in Munich.
Sadly, the season didn’t end as we’d hoped. Once again, we were robbed at the hands of our neighbors across the city. But that heartbreak didn’t deter me from keeping up with the club. What really stood out to me after the penalty shootout was the fans. They were singing just as loudly in the final minute as they had in the first. For that to happen after one of the biggest heartbreaks you’ll ever see…that’s special.
The years following that painful loss only deepened my love for the club. Watching Atleti defend like madmen and seeing Griezmann bang in goals left and right while contending for the Ballon d’Or was incredible. I also learned about La Fuente de Neptuno — the place where the team celebrates its title wins — and what a special moment it was when El Niño and our captain Gabi lifted the Europa League trophy.
Certain matches and moments stood out to me above the rest during the 2020s, this decade in which we’ve watched a solid yet uneven Atleti. The first that comes to mind is the 2020 Champions League tie against Liverpool. Saúl’s tap-in at the Metropolitano was one of the most electric starts to a match I’ve ever seen. And then came the return leg — when my second-favorite Atleti player, Marcos Llorente, became a legend. That comeback was one of the best matches I’ve ever witnessed, and it’s the one that truly cemented the phrase “nunca dejes de creer” for me.
The 2021 league-winning season drove that point home even further — with heart-attack finishes against Osasuna and Valladolid, plenty more goals from El Pistolero, plus a second league title in seven years.
In the 2021/22 season, the match that stands out most for me is the Champions League tie against Manchester City — when I’ve never been prouder to be an Atleti supporter. Even in an aggregate defeat, that was an astounding defensive masterclass against arguably the best City side Pep Guardiola has managed. Being labeled as “mad, bad, and dangerous” in the media made it even better.
(Inject that into my veins.)
Closing out my walk down memory lane, the Inter Milan tie was another favorite of mine — once again embodying that unca dejes de creer ”never stop believing” attitude — and then, of course, the most recent Champions League clash with Real Madrid (sigh). Oddly enough, after the final whistle, I felt a sense of pride, even in heartbreak.
What “pride”? The pride that we beat that team that day…and that they needed to be bailed out to beat little old Atlético Madrid.
The pride that our fans stood there, singing their hearts out well after the final whistle.
The pride that I know we’ll be back — and stronger than ever.
The tifo “me mata, me da la vida” translates to “it kills me, it gives me life.” That is what this team does to you, and that is what being an Atlético de Madrid supporter means to me. It’s not just about winning — it never was. Atlético Madrid is a way of life. In life, we’re going to suffer, but through belief in yourself, you’ll win. It might take a little more suffering than you’d like, but you will win.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading. I hope to bring some fun and passion to Into the Calderón.
Aúpa Atleti, ahora y siempre.
