Reuters Soccer Blog

The Ogre breathes fresh life into Argentine football

Weighing in at nearly 100 kilos is the man who has brought some badly-needed charisma to Argentine domestic football.

Popularly-known as the Ogre, because of a supposed likeness to the animated film character Shrek, Cristian Fabbiani has become a cult figure for his ability to alternate moments of brilliance with others of near comedy (such as a miss for Newell’s Old Boys that became cult viewing on YouTube).

The fact that he is somewhat chubby for a footballer adds to the fascination.

According to his new club River Plate, Fabbiani has 96 kilos spread around his 1.89 metre frame. However, after joining River from Newell’s Old Boys, coach Nestor Gorosito said he was initially three kilos overweight, bringing him close to the impressive three-figure mark.

Unlike Brazil’s Ronaldo, who has often been sensitive to suggestions that he carries a few kilos too many, Fabbiani uses his physique to bulldoze past opponents and laughs off suggestions that he is fat.

“When they say I’m fat, it makes me play better,” he said. “I try not to go back to my mum’s house because there’s always a lot of food and it’s too much temptation.”

His directness is a refreshing break in a country where players take the bland statement of the obvious to new extremes and where their banalities are eagerly snapped up by two 24-hour sports channels with too much airtime to fill.