Spreen’s Unforgettable Debut: Undefeated but Too Short
Picture this: a streamer known for his cheeky banter and entertaining gaming sessions swapping the controller for a football, all while sporting the number 47. Yes, folks! This is what happened when Iván Buhajeruk, affectionately known as Spreen, made his professional debut with Deportivo Riestra at the ripe old age of 24. Spoiler alert: it was as eventful as a dodgy Tinder date—over before it really got started!
In a match against Vélez Sarsfield at the Guillermo Laza stadium, which was, let’s be honest, a bit of a fortress for the home team, things kicked off with a bang! Well, sort of. Our gamer-turned-footballer started strong, taking to the pitch like a cat on a hot tin roof, but alas, he was swapped out just one minute in! Yes, you heard it right, folks—a minute! That’s nearly long enough for a quick coffee break… or a very awkward silent prayer, depending on your inclinations.
In a tweet that could only be described as a masterclass in banter, Spreen cheekily told his followers that “the second time it lasted less than a minute in a debut.” Ah, the spirit of a true entertainer: nothing like a little self-deprecation to lighten the mood! It’s almost like he was auditioning for a role as the FFT (Footballing Twitcher) of the Year.
Now, let’s talk about the match itself. It ended in a 1-1 draw, which on paper is not too shabby against a championship leader. And for a team that ranks ninth in the table and managed to snag 27 units at home, that’s a win in some fantasy football league, right? But can we just take a moment to appreciate the audacity of putting a first-time professional in the starting lineup? It’s like sending in your grandma to fight a heavyweight champion—she may have formidable spirit, but I wouldn’t bet my life savings on her winning!
Despite his brief stint, Spreen made an impression—if only for the fleeting moment that he galloped around the pitch like a startled deer. Mainly, he was there to wave at rivals and practice warm-ups that presumably involved more stretching than ball control. But what he lacked in game time, he made up for in connectivity with his followers. He even showcased his custom boots in an Instagram live—because if you can’t score, at least look good doing it, right?
And what about that surprise he pulled when he showed up in an official Argentine soccer figurine album? Now that’s what I call leveling up! He dropped that bombshell like an unexpected plot twist in a soap opera, confirming that yes, folks, he actually qualifies as a federated soccer player. How far we’ve come from the days of “I only play on the weekends”—a true Glow-Up if there ever was one!
A debut without a defeat? Check! A goal scored (for comedic value, at least)? Double-check! The wheels are in motion for Spreen, who’s set to roll with one of the most unique career shifts in recent memory. Who knows? Maybe he’ll have his own streaming series by the end of the season. “Spreen’s Soccer Chronicles,” anyone? Tune in, folks, as he goes from “Noob” to “Legend” in a matter of minutes!
Remember, if you’re ever tempted to change careers, just keep this in mind: it’s not how long you play, it’s how entertaining your exit strategy is!
“Undefeated” was the word Spreen used to describe his debut
Deportivo Riestra and Vélez Sarsfield tied 1-1 at the Guillermo Laza stadium in Bajo Flores on matchday 22 of the Professional League. The match was marked by the debut of Iván Buhajeruk, known in the digital world as Spreen, who made his professional debut at the age of 24 with the Malevo shirt. The streamer started as a starter, but was replaced a minute into the game by Gustavo Fernández. Then, on his networks, he shared a message for his followers.
In a publication by an The word refers to the fact that during his debut match he did not suffer defeat and maintained his unbeatable “streak.”
He also responded to a tweet from the Argentine team’s main journalist, Gastón Edul. In the tweet, Edul mentioned that “Spreen came out. “He played 59 seconds.” To which the debutant responded: “The second time it lasted less than a minute in a debut.”
Spreen on his social networks, leaving a message after his debut in the Professional League
Despite his lack of experience in professional football, forward Spreen was chosen by the Riestra coaching staff, led by Cristian Fabbiani, to start the match considering that a late tackle could have an adverse effect on the result depending on the circumstances. With the number 47, he formed the attack with Jonathan Herrera and Milton Céliz.
The young streamer fully integrated with the Riestra team at the La Candela site for the confrontation against Fortín. During his stay, he made a live broadcast where he showed his personalized boots and the number 47 of his jacket, in addition to sending a message to Malevo’s followers, ensuring that he would give his best on the field.
Before the start of the game, he was seen very focused while performing warm-up exercises. Upon entering the field of play, he greeted all his rivals as part of the ritual before each match. In the minute and 19 seconds that he remained on the field, he showed an active attitude, chasing a ball in a play that was interrupted by a foul committed against a teammate, although he did not touch the ball.
At 24 years old, the influencer Spreen, originally from Santo Tomé, Santa Fe, has become one of the most visible content creators in Argentina. His broadcasts on Twitch and YouTube reach thousands of followers, standing out for his relaxed humor and the close connection he establishes with his audience. Buhajeruk is often shown playing popular titles such as Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto V, interacting in real time with his community of followers, which includes both Argentines and users from the entire Spanish-speaking community on streaming platforms around the world.
In September, Spreen surprised by appearing in the official Argentine soccer figurine album. The news was confirmed by the streamer himself through his Instagram account, where he wrote: “Well people, it was leaked that I am a federated soccer player and I have a figurine.” This is how his link with Riestra became known, after having registered in the Comet system – the base where all footballers who compete in the AFA are registered – since February.
Despite Fabbiani’s risky move of giving a debut to a footballer without professional experience, the move turned out optimally, as he managed to obtain a draw against the championship leader and keep the Guillermo Laza stadium with the status of a fortress. Riestra is located ninth in the table and is the team that achieved the most units (27) at home.
What inspired Iván “Spreen” Buhajeruk to make the transition from streaming to professional football?
**Interview with Iván “Spreen” Buhajeruk: From Controller to Footballer**
**Editor**: Iván, thanks for joining us today! Your debut with Deportivo Riestra certainly created quite a stir. Can you walk us through that moment when you stepped onto the pitch?
**Spreen**: Absolutely! It was surreal. The adrenaline was pumping, and I was just thrilled to make my debut. I remember thinking, “This is it! Time to show what I’ve got.” And then, literally a minute later, I was subbed out. So, that was… unexpected!
**Editor**: Unexpected is definitely one way to put it! You exchanged your gaming controller for the number 47 jersey. How did you feel transitioning from being a streamer to playing professional football?
**Spreen**: It’s been a wild ride, honestly. One moment I’m streaming for my fans, and the next, I’m on a football pitch. I think my experience as a streamer helped me stay calm, even when things didn’t go as planned. I just embraced the moment, and hey, at least I can say I’m unbeaten!
**Editor**: Speaking of your unbeaten record, you tweeted about your 59-second debut with humor. Is it important for you to keep a light-hearted approach despite the unexpected challenges?
**Spreen**: Definitely! Humor is my go-to defense mechanism, whether it’s playing games or on the football pitch. Fans responded super positively to my tweet, and I think it’s crucial to make light of situations. Life is too short to take everything seriously!
**Editor**: You made an impression on social media, even showing off your custom boots during a live stream. How do you see social media playing into your evolving career as a footballer?
**Spreen**: Social media is a powerful tool for connection. My fans have followed me from gaming to football, and I want to bring them along for this journey. Whether it’s showing off gear or sharing practice updates, my goal is to keep them engaged and entertained. Until I score my first goal, at least I can look good doing it!
**Editor**: And what’s next for you in your football journey? Are there any goals you’re setting for yourself?
**Spreen**: For now, just gaining experience and improving my game. I’m super grateful to Deportivo Riestra for giving me this opportunity. Who knows? Maybe by the end of the season, I’ll have my own mini-series: “Spreen’s Soccer Chronicles.” Stay tuned!
**Editor**: Sounds exciting! We can’t wait to see what’s next. Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Spreen, and best of luck in your future matches!
**Spreen**: Thank you! It’s going to be a fun ride!