International soccer fans brought personal stories and mixed emotions to Dallas on Saturday as they gathered to watch the World Cup match between Jordan and Argentina.
Venezuelan fans Mariano Jiménez and Wilfrido Paradas attended the game while grieving a recent earthquake in their home nation, according to a report from dallasnews.
com.
The two men, who have lived in Dallas for five years, originate from the Yaracuy state, which experienced tremors from the seismic activity centered near Caracas.
"We have mixed feelings because we're fulfilling a dream today, but we didn't expect it to be like this," said Paradas.
"We're here with joy, but our minds and hearts are back home because of what happened in our country."
Jiménez noted that while his immediate family members remain safe, friends back home suffered severe losses from the disaster.
"Fortunately, my family back home is fine, but I have friends who lost family members and friends," said Jiménez.
"I'm very sad, but being here is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Other supporters arrived in Texas under entirely different circumstances, including a father and son from Córdoba, Argentina, who wore custom nun outfits matching the colors of the Argentine flag.
"This outfit is meant to convey the faith Argentines have in our national team, to stand by them and cheer them on," said Daniel Butasoni, an Argentine fan.
The tournament marked the first World Cup attendance for the pair, who expressed appreciation for their reception in the host city.
"This is a dream come true, and when people welcome you so warmly, it feels even better," said Butasoni.
Another Argentine couple, Mario Romero and Estefaní Trenti, traveled from Santiago del Estero to fulfill a specific family promise made to Romero's late father.
"We've all always been huge soccer fans, and I went with my dad to two World Cups — in Russia and Brazil — and when he got sick with cancer, he made me promise that I'd come with my son to every World Cup," said Romero.
Jordanian businessman Nur Mustafa also traveled to Texas with a group of supporters to witness his nation's historic debut appearance in the global tournament.
"This is the first time my country has made it to a World Cup, and it's something I didn't want to miss," said Mustafa.
"And if we beat Argentina today, it would be a huge deal."
Mustafa shared positive feedback regarding local hospitality before planning his return trip home following the brief stay.
"People are right when they say that everything is bigger in Texas — including their hospitality," said Mustafa.
