Jeremy Pino's grandmother, Marie Carmen Merino, spoke emotionally about her grandson's victory in New York on Cadena SER's Las Palmas program.
The family watched the game with a mix of tension, anticipation, and a sense of sporting justice. Marie-Carmen Merino said, "I'm incredibly proud of Jeremi. I was especially nervous watching the game. He's gone through so much and suffered so much to get to where he is today. We always knew he would go far because he's so competitive and never likes to lose."
Jeremi's family remembers that he possessed an unusual determination and ambition from a young age, a drive that propelled him to improve every day. Now, he stands among the world champions.
The grandmother recalled one of the most tense moments of the World Cup: his injury during the match against Uruguay, a moment that gripped the whole family. She said, "I especially wanted to see him show that smile that never fades again. When he was injured, he said it was a broken collarbone, but his mother said no. My daughter always tells him the truth and has always given her all for him. He also injured his knee four years ago, and that was a very difficult time."
The anxiety of missing the match was intertwined with the player's resilience. Despite the excruciating pain, Jeremi insisted on continuing to play, once again demonstrating his competitiveness and ability to withstand pressure in the face of adversity.
Jeremi's connection to his hometown and family remains strong. His grandmother emphasized that these were important pillars in his upbringing. She said, "People always think that playing football is just about touching the ball, but it actually requires a lot of effort. When it was time to leave the island, he was still a child, and he left crying... He was 14 years old then. He has a strong sense of belonging and has never forgotten where he came from."
Every time he scores a goal, Jeremi thinks of his grandparents. She said, "He thinks of his grandparents every time he scores a goal and dedicates the goal to them." This habit has continued since he was just starting out, which shows the influence of his family on his career and the emotional weight that accompanies him in every game.
Those around the player are also proud of his championship, recalling the hard work and sacrifices he has made over the years. A relative said, "I am very happy and proud of my cousin. I am especially happy to see Jeremi lift the World Cup trophy. He had to sacrifice a lot to achieve his dream."
Being listed alongside names like Silva, Pedro, and Pedri underscores the significance of this achievement. His family also mentioned that he was cheerful, kind, and remained humble even at the height of his success.
Jeremi's connection to the neighborhoods of Laferia and Lomor-el-Chinché remains unchanged; these places shaped his identity. His grandmother said, "It's a source of pride to come from an ordinary, hardworking neighborhood. One must always keep their feet on the ground, because bubbles can burst at any time."
His family also specifically mentioned his competitive spirit. She said, "He didn't want to lose anything: he didn't want to lose in football, he didn't want to lose in table tennis, he didn't want to lose in Mario Kart. He always brought out his best." Even when injured, he played like a little leopard, stubbornly pushing through the pain. She said, "We all thought his World Cup was over. He played through the pain, his arm was practically immobile… but he persevered until the very end."
Jeremy Pino's story is that of a 14-year-old boy who left his hometown, crying as he said goodbye to his homeland, dedicating every goal to his grandparents, and now, having won the World Cup, he remains true to his roots.
From Raferia to New York, his family celebrated not only the championship, but also the sacrifices, humility, and the ever-present smile that accompanied him along the way.
