Former Toronto Blizzard goalkeeper Steve Nijjar has acquired Racing Madrid FC, a sixth-tier soccer team in Spain, and hopes to transform it into a top-level club.
A dream come true
Nijjar, who was born in India and moved to Canada when he was seven, says buying the Madrid team is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. He has always been passionate about soccer, playing for the Toronto Blizzard in the 1980s, coaching various teams in Canada, and even acting in a soccer-themed movie called Kicking It Old Skool.
“I always wanted to own a soccer club. I always wanted to be involved in soccer at a higher level,” he says. “And when this opportunity came up, I just jumped on it.”
Nijjar and his business partner Morris Pagniello bought the club a year ago, when it was called Cenafe Club. They changed the name to Racing Madrid FC, after discovering that there was a historical team with the same name that played in the Spanish capital from 1914 to 1932.
A challenging market
Nijjar admits that competing in Madrid, where Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid dominate the soccer scene, is not easy. He says his club is often overlooked by fans and media, and has to deal with limited resources and facilities.
However, he is confident that his club can attract attention and support by playing attractive soccer and developing young talent. He says he has a vision to make Racing Madrid FC a powerhouse in Spain and Europe, and he is not afraid to invest in the club.
“We have a very ambitious project. We want to take this club to the highest level possible,” he says. “We have a very good budget. We have signed some very good players from the second and third division. We have a very good coaching staff. We have everything in place to succeed.”
A Canadian connection
Nijjar also wants to create a strong connection between his club and Canada. He says he plans to bring Canadian players and coaches to Spain, and also scout for talent in Canada. He recently held tryouts in Toronto, looking for two players aged 17 to 23 to sign for Racing Madrid.
He says he hopes his club can be a platform for Canadian soccer players to showcase their skills and get exposure in Europe. He also hopes his club can inspire more Canadians to follow their dreams and pursue their passions.
“I want to show people that anything is possible. If you have a dream, you have to go for it,” he says. “I want to make Canada proud.”
