New York, USA.
For some people, loneliness is very bad company, however, it was in her that Romell Quioto found the formula to give direction to his football career, which on the pitch looked adrift and outside of it, in his private life everything pointed to an unpromising destination.
The questioning, insults, racism and the realization that there were essential changes as a person he had to make led him to put a stop to many situations and put an end to that behavior that was causing him so much harm.
‘El Romántico’ has been uncovered with 15 goals this MLS season with CF Montreal, his best campaign since arriving in the United States in 2017. He has in his sights the 19 goals made by his compatriot Alex Pineda Chacón in 2001 with the Miami Fusion. He has five games left before the playoffs begin.
“Everything that I am experiencing during this moment as a footballer and as a person comes from the focus that I have had in recent months, the dedication to work has paid off and the sum of these things has given me the results that we are seeing. My private life has totally changed, I’m not even the Romell Quioto of yesterday, “he said exclusively for Diario LA PRENSA.
And the 31-year-old attacker added: “I have stopped doing many things that self-destructed me, at the time I realized that I was not doing well, I was tearing apart a trajectory that has cost me to build and that I must take care of, it was a unconscious, but that’s over.”
The 2022 MLS season will be remembered by many as the rebirth of Río Esteban native Colón. His 15 goals have him very close to the scoring lead in the American league, in addition, he has become an almost permanent member of the ideal 11 and at the team level, the Quebecers are enjoying a dream season, ranking second from the Eastern Conference with 49 points.
“Within my loneliness I felt that the day had come to stop so much disorder, the discomfort was so great, that I completely distanced myself from social networks. To reflect on my life I decided to get away from many things that wore me down, I didn’t want to read comments, I took my attention away from everything that didn’t build me up and during those days I felt peace, I enjoyed it. I felt grateful to life, to God for allowing me to make that change and I hope to continue like this, the results are in sight and at the end of the day what I wanted most was to enjoy life”, the scorer was sincere in his heart.
At the time it was very common to see him on social networks, always on Instagram broadcasts, involved in controversies, with controversial comments, how much damage was that cyber life causing him?
It was affecting me in many aspects, at the time I realized that I was paying too much attention to it. Social networks became the first thing for me, I enjoyed being involved in controversy and unimportant things, if someone told me something, I would go there to answer them. Today they insult me and I ignore them, if they insist, I block them and immediately turn the page, paying attention to that consumes you and I have more important things that require my energy, they are small decisions with great benefits. Social networks had something special for me, they represented the opportunity to feel good regarding myself, but all that is not even real, it is the greatest waste of time if you do not know how to use them. During that stage I learned that the same people who say good things to you today are sometimes the same people who insult you. These are things that I had to learn to handle, now I take everything more calmly, I appreciate the praise and I pray to God for those who offend me.
The insults became something associated with anything that Romell Quioto did. How much did it hurt you to live through such an unfortunate situation?
Of course it hurt, it made me feel very bad, as strong as one wanted to become, it was very difficult to digest that, I came to live a stage in which, no matter what went up, I only received insults, the attacks were more and more strong and of all kinds, but God changed the way and now I do not suffer from attacks. It has been a blessing to react on time and I want to put that behind me.
Who have been with you during this stage and have been an important part of this rebirth?
None of this would be happening without my mother’s prayers, she is always with me at all times, she sees no distinction, she is unconditional in good and bad times, without her scolding and advice I would be more lost. Eduardo “Guayo” Solano has been one of the closest people to me, I found a great friend in Lenín Guerrero as well as other people who never leave me alone.
Something that has gone unnoticed due to his scandals and that has always been his philanthropic actions. What does it feel like to share your blessings with those most in need?
These are things that I have always done, actions that come from my heart, being able to give to people and do it in person. It is a permanent reminder that one day I had nothing, that I am a person who comes from below and that I know how difficult life is. God has allowed me to be well and I hope to always collaborate with low-income people. During the pandemic we donated nearly 1,000 pieces of club clothing, we also donated food and other activities that I enjoy as they allow me to have that contact with people, talk with them and take a picture of us. All this is part of that endless process of trying to be a better person, father, son, friend, citizen. I have never done these things so that people applaud me, these activities come from my heart and I hope once the season is over to do them once more.
Many times one grows up with very deep wounds, situations that prevent him from being happy and that represent an unnecessary weight in our walk. How much good did it do him to forgive and give his father a chance?
That situation did not allow me to be happy, it is very hard to grow up with an absent father, inside me I had that resentment, a feeling of annoyance that did not improve over the years, in my mind I refused to talk to him, I did not want to see him nor know anything regarding his life. Until God expressed himself and made me see that this was my dad, that I had to look for him, listen to him, talk to him. From that day my life improved, I went to his house, I hugged him and although we don’t have the best relationship, that action healed me, that moment changed my life.
The individual who went through all these tests, not even in the minds of the most optimistic, might become the captain of the Honduran National Team. How did he experience that precise moment in which he was given the badge?
I did not believe it, I might not believe what they told me, despite this, deep down, I knew that I had been doing things well and that I was capable of assuming said responsibility. I understood that in the eyes of some people the change in my life was evident, for them I was an example and work rewards, the badge fills me with pride. I take it as a reward and faithful proof that one can make mistakes, fall down, get up and fulfill their dreams.
Honduras will play once morest Argentina on September 23 in Miami, on that day Lionel Messi and Romell Quioto will exchange pennants and take that traditional photo. How do you imagine that special moment will be?
Hopefully I’ll be called, that’s the first thing. I hope that Professor Diego Vázquez is counting on me and once there to enjoy the moment, it will be something unique and unforgettable. Something to frame for the rest of my life, these are things that are not lived every day, even so we go with all the responsibility that a national team game deserves. But let’s enjoy it.
At the club level, unpleasant things have happened, in the month of August 2019 an incident with Ronald Matarrita of New York City, represented the straw that broke the camel’s back and he paid dearly for it, how much benefit did he get from the lowest point of his race?
It was a key moment, hard, complicated for my personal life and my career, that incident had to happen, I had to experience something very bad to be able to reflect. Life had to hit me very hard to understand that I was wrong, that incident opened my eyes. I understood that it was wrong and then unfortunately they didn’t help me, they punished me and I drifted, I had to become strong and that allowed me to see things that ultimately helped me get ahead.
Many people do not know how to assimilate success even following setbacks. You went from being adrift to occupying a place at the top of American soccer and the Honduran National Team. How are you dealing with being the star of Montreal and one of the great figures in MLS?
It makes me very nostalgic, it gives me mixed feelings. I never imagined this happening to me, I got here and I didn’t think I would experience these things, I just wanted to receive a second chance and not waste it. Since my transfer was confirmed (to Montreal) I said that I came to give everything, that I was not going to disappoint them, the turnaround is such that the only thing I feel is affection, respect and gratitude towards the Montreal fans. I am happy here and I will continue to be until the day I have to leave.
You’ve already surpassed your goal total in one season (8) and nearly doubled that number (15) within this dream season. What other goals do you hope to accomplish?
I know that I am in a great moment, suddenly, the best of my career and just like life, soccer is also regarding moments, like thousands of Honduran fans, I also dream of playing in Europe. Journalists and fans always echo my wishes without my expressing myself regarding it, but I try not to put pressure on myself, God knows if I’ll go or not, but if it doesn’t happen I’ll be happy to stay here in Montreal. If the door opens, I will go with all the enthusiasm and responsibility of the case to succeed.
You had the opportunity to play in Poland when you were very young and things didn’t go your way. Do you have an obsession for revenge or would you like to stay in Montreal, the most European city in America?
That adventure did not go well for me, I went back to 2012, I was very young, but yes, it is my desire to play in one of the major leagues in Europe, I long to live that experience, I feel that it is the right time, but that is something of God, if he takes me I will be very happy and if he leaves me here, I assure you that I am in very good hands. My departure from Montreal would be due to a better opportunity for me and for the club, I will not leave Canada for something that does not favor me.
How do you imagine closing this tremendous year?
My goal is to close it by scoring as many goals and assists as possible, that individually, as a group, Montreal is doing things very well, we are a strong team and we want to fight for the title. We want to end the year by winning the last game we play.
