‘Chucky’ Lozano sweeps San Diego. It is a slogan for the more than 12 million Mexicans who live in California. He is the image of the Right to Dream charity project and the protagonist of Foot Locker’s ‘back to school’ campaign. In the midst of ‘Chuckymanía’, Lozano explains his projects off the field.
San Diego, a club owned by Sir Mohamed Mansour and of which Juan Mata is a member, put $7.6 million in salary on the table to sign Lozano. A leader in the field and an unbeatable asset in business. ‘Chucky’ is committed to the community and teaches the way to thousands of children who dream of playing football through the new ‘Right to Dream’ academy.
“I love that project, I lived it in Pachuca and now being part of a new project with the same vision is wonderful for me. I love that children see me as an example, that I can leave a mark or be motivation for them to achieve their dreams,” Lozano told EFE.
I see it a little now with the children at the academy, every day they are happy, they see you as a dream,” Chucky continued.
Mexican slogan
San Diego opened a sports center of just over 11 hectares, where it brings young people closer to professional soccer from the very early stages of their career. The Right to Dream model has already brought world-class academies to Ghana, Denmark and Egypt. Mohammed Kudus, now Tottenham’s midfielder, was one of the players who developed thanks to this project.
There is no better attraction than the ‘Chucky’ in San Diego. And the community makes Lozano feel very comfortable in his new Californian stage.
“From the first moment in the presentation it was wonderful, the Mexican people have supported me and have been wonderful. We like to go out, the climate, the city, with the family and everything, it is nice to have the opportunity to go out and walk,” said Lozano.
“People come up, ask for photos, autographs, but I have no problem, that they show me that affection, that gratitude for putting Mexico in the spotlight is very nice. I have no problem with them approaching me, it’s something that I appreciate and I love,” he continued.
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Its little-known business side
The football career of ‘Chucky’, who will lead Mexico in the next World Cup, led him to success in Holland, with PSV Eindhoven, and in Italy, where he won a historic Serie A with Naples.
What is less known is his business profile. He is sponsored by Nike and has no shortage of offers to be the image of international brands.
But what does Chucky look for when he partners with a brand?
“I see a lot that it fits my personality, who I am as a person, what my family is like,” said Lozano.
One of their latest campaigns came from Foot Locker, for a family ‘back to school’ ad.
“At that time with Footlocker we made a very familiar, very nice commercial, trying to get young people back to school in the best way, and so we looked for those participations, a little familiar, a little calm, that is like a visualization towards young people of admiration, that things can be achieved, that is what we are looking for,” said ‘Chucky’.
The numbers of San Diego’s success
In its inaugural season in the MLS, San Diego was the first franchise to achieve a mathematical pass to the playoffs.
More than 18 thousand fans bought the annual ticket to Snapdragon Stadium and more than 500 thousand fans have attended the Californian team’s stadium in the regular season.
The San Diego sports center already has 48 commercial partners, which places it among the three best in the MLS in terms of sponsors.
In addition, the Californian club surpassed the historical record for annual sales of official MLS products, when there are still five games left before the regular season ends.
With information from EFE
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