Matthew McConaughey becomes MLS club leader

Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey has "always dreamed of being at the level of the field and helping to build a sports team": here it is with the debut this weekend, in the North American football championship (MLS), Austin FC, a new club in which he is a minority shareholder.

The Hollywood star said she was determined to help the club gain a foothold in her hometown by playing a role of "culture minister" for the franchise, during a video conference with the press on Tuesday.

"I'm not interested in the role of mascot," insisted the 51-year-old.

“I've always studied and enjoyed great teams that have succeeded and lasted, whether it's the All Blacks in rugby or the New England Patriots in American football.”

Founded in 2018, Austin FC will make their home debut on June 19 at their newly built 20,500-seat Q2 Stadium.

The club has already sold all its subscriptions, ie 15,500 over the season, and 15,000 other requests are on the waiting list.

"We will not be a fad"

Matthew McConaughey

According to McConaughey, this interest reflects a deep-rooted passion for football in the fastest growing Texas city in the United States, according to census figures released in March of last year.

“Austin was already a football city before Austin FC,” he said.

“It's a very diverse, booming city.

We have 150 people moving here every day.

Football is the universal sport and we have people from all over the world in our city who have never had a team to support.

It was time."

“What success can we have in the first year?

We'll see, ”he said.

“But we didn't build Austin FC in a day, and we won't be a fad.

The seed has been planted, we want to be a big and strong oak tree.

Ready for a 100 year war.

We have a long-term vision. ”

McConaughey refuses to compare the successes, the accomplishment he has already experienced as an actor, with those he hopes to experience in sports.

“Let me go through blood, sweat and tears first.

Let me spend a few seasons.

Live defeats, victories.

Highs.

Stockings.

And then get to the end and lift a trophy.

Then I can tell you how I feel. ”

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