Madridista Of The Month is a new feature on RealmadridTalk. As a matter of fact, it is an old one but it was stopped when I came to OleOle and now here it is again!

It basically features a Madridista who talks about themselves and the club. For the January Edition, I have Tony Rage who lives in Orlando and seems like an awesome Madridista!

If you want to be featured, please send an email to rajab (at) oleole.com!

Enjoy!

Adam: Hey Tony, thanks for being the Madridista of January on RealmadridTalk. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live and what you do for a living?

Tony: My name is Tony Rage, I'm 29 and I'm originally from Venezuela but I have been living in Orlando, Fl for about 8 years now. I do many things. I'm a truck driver and I'm also a photographer and a musician. I play guitar for a worldwide radio known show called "The Monsters in the Morning" (www.monsters.fm)

Adam: How did you become a fan of Real Madrid, what attracted you to the club and have you ever visited the Bernabeu (and it is awesome that you play guitars, I'm a huge fan of guitars!)

Tony: I've been a fan of Real Madrid since I was about 8 years old. The Spanish liga was pretty well covered in Venezuelan TV and I fell in love with the "Merengues". I just had never seen a bunch play like that.

I have never been to the Bernabeu but it's on my to-do list! I'm such a fan, I turned my wife into a Madridista and we even flew to Washington DC to see them play last year on our 1st year anniversary hahaha!

Adam: haha, that's kinda romantic ;). Alright, who is your favorite current/former Real Madrid player and why?

Tony: I've always been a fan of Roberto Carlos. He had such speed and a mean left foot. Right now I really like Van der Vaart, I can see the potential he has in this team and I like the way he plays alot. He just needs more chances on the field.

Adam: The last seven or eight years must have been tough for you, as for any other Madridista. Did you, at some point, lose faith in the club's philosophy (or Perez' philosophy of buying stars so to speak?) or you never supported his ideas in the first place?

Tony: I can't say I lost hope. Of course there were decisions that the team made that I don't agree with (Robben leaving, selling Soldado etc...) and sometimes spending to me is never the answer. I'm sure we will always have a great team regardless.

Adam: If you were the club's president, what would you do in terms of signings, selecting coaches and in general? Anything you want to change dramatically? Maybe signing me as a your vice president?

Tony: Of course signing you as VP! Unfortunately I would have to let Gago go. He's a good young player that would develop somewhere else. I just don't see him as a strong player for a Madrid lineup. I would try to keep things as they are now and work with the people we have, that to me is the answer!

Adam: What's your best match/moment ever? Mine was when Capello's Real beat Barca 2-0 at the Bernabeu.

Tony: It has to be the goal Roberto Carlos scored against Tenerife in the Copa del rey 97-98!. I was out eating a hotdog on a street hotdog cart in Caracas, Venezuela. The guy had the game in this tiny black and white TV, I had just started watching seconds before it happened and when it happened I almost choked on a soda I was drinking! Classic!

Adam: What are your thoughts on the current team, coach, president and situation? Were you satisfied by the signings Perez made in the summer or you felt he spent a lot of money on players who will never gel together?

Tony: I believe that this team has a lot of potential and thrive, I believe that once egos calm down and we play as a team we are going to start seeing the results we all hope for. The "Galacticos" from back in the day was a TEAM, this one sometimes seems like alot of stars trying to score so they can win an award or to up their price. I think Guti did a great job showing everyone how a team works with the heel pass to Benzema, it was beautiful... wasn't it? I've also been disappointed with Kakà. I haven't seen him bring much to the table, I would much rather see VDV play instead.

Adam: I agree that Kakà hasn't been playing well, but he has been important for us. Is there anything else you'd like to say about the club? Do you read RealmadridTalk regularly? Is there anything I can do to improve the blog?

Tony: I love my club! My wife and I sit here every week in front of our TV and have a great time watching the best team in the planet do what they do best. Madrid has always been a big part of my life and it continues to be. I couldn't be any more proud!.

I'm also very thankful to find fans like yourself who put that extra effort and bring us RealmadridTalk. I've never in my life felt so informed about my team and I thank you for it. You have done a great job putting yourself out there either via Twitter of Facebook. Many props to you!

Adam: Thanks for being Madridista of the month. I appreciate it and hope we'll meet soon, maybe in the Bernabeu ;)

Tony: Thank you very much for choosing me, good luck in the future, much love and Hala Madrid!!!!