Sporting Kansas City signed Ilie, a product of FC Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth academy, in January and since then, the Spanish midfielder has played every minute for the club during the regular season and Open Cup. Recently, we took the opportunity to learn more about the 26-year-old Catalan native off the field.
Your English is very good now, but when you were first learning, what is one thing that you tried to say in English that came across as something else?
Ilie: That's a good question! After the first game in D.C. I had to do the interview for FOX Sports Kansas City. The sideline reporter asked me a couple questions and I gave the wrong answer. I was thinking that she was asking about something, but really she was asking about something else.
You elected to have to have your first name, Ilie on the back of your jersey. How come?
Ilie: Because in Spanish it is tradition to have three names. Your first name and then your last name is your father’s name followed by your mother’s name. Sanchez Farres would be too long and I couldn’t have just my dad’s name or just my mom’s name so I had to use my first name. Also Ilie is rare in America so this would stand out in MLS.
While on the topic of family, we know you are extremely close with yours. Do you have any traditions?
Ilie: We are not a traditional family. But one example would be for holidays. Actually, June 23 at 12am is Sant Joan. So to celebrate, we always have dinner and a big bonfire. For another example, on Sant Jordi, the guys give a rose to all the girls in their family and the girls give a book to the guys. And then of course we celebrate birthdays. We don’t have too many traditions. But maybe I will carve a pumpkin for Halloween now that I am in America.
Your mother just arrived to Kansas City last week and your father and brother are coming soon. What is the first thing you’d like to show them about Kansas City?
Ilie: The stadium. They will enjoy the environment on gameday very much but they will also enjoy the building itself. It’s my favorite place so, the stadium. Definitely, the stadium.
You and your brother Yuri are just two years apart and you said he is your best friend. What is your favorite thing to do together back home in Spain?
Ilie: Play soccer. He’s two years older than me and he would always win. He doesn’t play anymore, but we still play every once in a while at the beach for fun. He still beats me sometimes. He’s really good. The only difference between the two of us is from an early age, he always wanted to play soccer with his friends. But for me, I always wanted to keep learning. So when I was on a team and couldn't learn anymore I would tell my mom we needed to find a new coach that can teach me more.
Your parents raised a very polite son, but what was the most mischievous/rebellious thing you and Yuri did as kids?
Ilie: We played soccer in the house. We broke a lot of things when we were kids.
We learned recently that you love Marvel movies. Which one has been your favorite? Why?
Ilie: I like Ironman because I like the character but I also like the actor who plays Ironman, Robert Downey Jr. And because Ironman could be possible. The character is a regular man with armor. But The Avengers is probably my favorite because all of the characters from Marvel fight together in the same movie.
What actor would play Ilie in a movie?
Ilie: I don’t know! My favorite American actor is Ben Affleck but he doesn’t look like me so it would be impossible. I don’t know what he is like in real life, but I like watching him in his movies. But, if anyone could play me in a movie, I would want it to be Javier Bardem. He is the best actor from Spain. My favorite actress is actually Penelope Cruz, Javier’s wife because the first movie I ever saw (Volver) was directed by the most famous Spanish director, Pedro Almodovar and she was in it.
As a single man in Kansas City, describe to us your idea of a perfect date?
Ilie: There is no such thing as the perfect date. If the person is right, the date will be perfect.
