Lionel Messi is not the only Argentine finalist in The Best 2023 awards. This Monday's ceremony in London (starting at 17:00 p.m. Argentine time, on TyC Sports) also has another Albiceleste representative: Toto Iñiguez, the Colón fan who together with his son Tiziano starred in an incredible story that went around the world and caught the attention of FIFA to include him in the fight for an award to which they aspire. among others, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé on the list of Best Player.
In the last edition, Argentina had monopolized the prizes anchored in the title at the World Cup in Qatar. In fact, he had even won the statuette for 'Fan of the Year', which was received by Carlos Pascual, the renowned 'Tula', who travelled with his iconic bass drum to London.
This Colón fan is NOMINATED for the FIFA Fan Award 2023 for giving his son a bottle during a match against Barracas Central.
🇦🇷🥹 pic.twitter.com/qlDWf5Bcst
— Football Attack (@AtaqueFutbolero) September 14, 2023
In 2023 there is also an Argentine contender for that award. Toto Iñiguez, a fan of Colón de Santa Fe, went viral last May when he was captured by the official broadcast of the Professional League, giving the bottle to his son Tiziano in the middle of the stands.
"The poignant scene reflected the fan's desire to awaken in his son a passion for the club from an early age," FIFA said when it revealed the shortlist in September last year.
📣 Club Atlético Colón, through its Public Relations area, continues to accompany Toto Iñiguez and his family on their way to The Best FIFA awards 🏆. Toto is nominated in the "Best Fan" category. The ceremony will take place today in London.
🎥 This... pic.twitter.com/px1Or828Fp
— Club Atlético Colón ⭐ (@ColonOficial) January 15, 2024
Colón published throughout the week on his official channels the step by step of the Iñíguez family towards The Best. Last week it showed "Toto" trying on a suit to participate in the gala in London and this Monday part of the pre-plane preview. "Through its Public Relations area, the club will accompany Toto Iñiguez and his family on their way to The Best FIFA awards," he said.
Who are you competing against?
The Colón fan competes with the English Fran Hurndall, who for 32 days traveled 32 kilometers, with the ball stuck to her foot, from Gold Coast to Sydney, Australia, to inspire girls and women to achieve their goals; and Miguel Ángel, a Colombian fan of Millonarios de Bogotá, who suffered from a terminal illness and, before receiving euthanasia, fulfilled his wish to meet the players of the squad.
The dream of being able to take a photo with Lionel Messi
Before boarding the plane with his son and his wife, Toto Iñiguez acknowledged what was one of his main objectives of this unforgettable trip. "It would be a dream for Titian to take a picture with Leo. If I have to stay until the lights go out to wait for him, I'll stay without a problem," he said in statements to the sports newspaper Olé.
Although the focus is on "having an unforgettable time", Iñíguez doesn't even want to think about what can happen if he wins: "I'll be honest, I can't even think that I'm nervous. I'm going to say whatever comes out, I don't want to prepare anything because I know I'm not going to be able to say it and I prefer it to be like that."