Ibai Llanos has not left time for the dust generated by the last evening, and is already giving new headlines. The football team that he has created from scratch has a name: Ronin FC . However, its growth strategy seems to contradict what many fans believe football represents today. This miscalculation could harm the club’s image.
I Want a Football Team
Shortly before summer, Ibai announced through his TikTok account that he was going to finance a football team that would start from the most modest categories, with the intention of ascending year by year, specifically in the fourth Catalan division. He mentioned, “We are going to start in the lowest category in Spain and we will try to ascend over the years.” The team will be called Ronin FC , a name inspired by the masterless warriors of feudal Japan. In less than 24 hours, the project secured a field to play, located in Rubí , close to where the streamer resides.
To the Counter
However, Ibai’s approach seems to be out of sync with current trends in world football. While the sport has become increasingly globalized and financed as never before, a powerful resistance is emerging that calls for authenticity and local representation . For instance, Rayo Vallecano fans joining forces to ensure their team remains connected to its roots reflect this sentiment. Fans in Oviedo recently celebrated promotion, igniting a revival of nostalgia for “real” football, further demonstrated by Malaga fans welcoming their team back to the second division after years away.
The Nostalgia for “Real” Football
This nostalgia contrasts with what’s typically described as ” Plastic Football ,” showcasing concerns about clubs focused more on commercial gain than community identity. Names like PSG, Manchester City, and Chelsea often come to mind when discussing the commercialization of football. The prevailing sentiment favors teams that represent more than just businesses; they represent community and tradition .
Causing Controversy
In this context, Ronin FC arises as what some might perceive as an act of involuntary provocation. A newly established club named after masterless warriors lacks the historical baggage that invites identification from its community. This makes it challenging to connect with fans. Moreover, owned by Ibai Llanos , who has become a prominent streamer, the project boasts a budget reportedly ten times higher than its rivals in the same category. Such disparity resembles the creation of artificial teams in video games rather than a legitimate football club.
Playing with Fire
Ibai’s aspirations hinge not on traditional values but on an aggressive strategy that could alienate potential fans. His plans to acquire Real Murcia faced criticism when certain supporters doubted whether a streamer was the best steward for a historic club. As a result, Ibai has embarked on a valid yet precarious journey, starting from scratch but not adhering to foundational tenets of traditional football.
Typical Practices in Team Acquisitions
Typically, when investors acquire clubs, they either purchase a historic one while preserving its tradition for profit, or they take over a lesser-known team without disrupting its essence. A prime example of this is the purchase of Wrexham by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who aimed to rejuvenate a club steeped in history rather than erase its identity.
Wrexham, being the third oldest professional club in the world with significant local support, contradicts Ibai’s initiative, which lacks such heritage.
Ronin on the Screen
Ibai’s enthusiasm, though well-meaning, clashes with the respectful approaches taken by other investors. The potential fanbase for Ronin FC is primarily comprised of fans drawn by the streamer rather than genuine club allegiance, as no time has been allowed for a culture to develop. According to Ikai’s own statements, he even considers livestreaming matches to draw unprecedented attention to a lower division team. The concern is not about the team’s capacity to handle media exposure but whether it could ultimately undermine the club’s image.
Creating a successful football team transcends financial investments. It requires cultivating deep-rooted connections with the community and honoring traditions that have evolved over generations. As Ibai Llanos stands at this crossroads, the path he chooses could redefine the future of fan involvement in football, but it remains to be seen whether a streamer can genuinely foster that essential club culture. His journey is exciting, yet the challenges are significant as the future of Ronin FC unfolds.