Overwhelmed with excitement, avid Bears fan Cristian Saban Carretero held his face in his hands, ran his fingers through his hair and wiped away happy tears.
The 38-year-old from Spain had just been informed that he had been named the Bears' nominee for the 2025 NFL International Fan of the Year Award. Carretero received the news at the conclusion of an in-person interview at his home in Cádiz, Spain, with Spanish journalist Iker Sagasti.
Carretero was surprised by the revelation because he had been told that the interview would center around his passion for the Bears and their magical 2025 season. Sagasti presented Carretero with a gift box from his favorite team that included an orange No. 1 jersey with his name on the back, a letter from the organization explaining why he had been selected and additional gifts recognizing his dedication to building community around the Bears in Spain.
"The Chicago Bears have been part of my life for more than 10 years," Carretero said. "I promise that for as long as life allows me, everyone in Spain will know that the Chicago Bears have been, are and always will be the greatest American football club in the world. Representing the Chicago Bears as the NFL International Fan of the Year nominee is something I will carry with pride forever."
Carretero fell in love with the Bears more than a decade ago when he discovered online videos of legendary Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton leaping over defenders into the end zone and throwing a touchdown pass to receiver Willie Gault. Carretero also felt an instant connection to the Bears because his last name begins with the same "C" that is displayed on their helmets.
Carretero's fandom helped him cope with a serious health scare involving his firstborn child in 2021. His son was hospitalized for 12 days dealing with what Carretero described as a "severe medical emergency." One night in the hospital, he received a social media message from another Bears fan asking if he would be interested in collaborating on a Bears podcast.
Carretero informed the fan about his son's situation and vowed that he would like to start the podcast with him if his baby survived the ordeal. Fortunately, the child recovered and was released from the hospital—and shortly after that "La Osera" (The Bear Den) was born.
"Thanks to this project, we have been able to work side-to-side with the Bears and they have treated us like we were direct family of the organization," Carretero wrote in a letter to the team that was translated from Spanish to English. "That night in that hospital room, my passion for the Bears and the wonderful message of a fellow fan on social media brought new life in me to continue fighting for my son with incredible amounts of energy."
The podcast connects Spanish-speaking fans through weekly discussions, analysis and storytelling centered on the Bears. Through La Osera, Carretero has helped create a space where fans across Spain can follow the season, debate roster moves and deepen their connection to the franchise. In recent weeks, he also helped produce a comprehensive Bears guide spanning more than 190 pages, providing in-depth insight into the franchise's history, roster and culture.
In 2024, Carretero and fellow Bears fans purchased 12 tickets to the team's game in London against the Jaguars and made them available to Spanish fans who wanted to attend, ensuring members of the growing Spain fanbase had the opportunity to watch the Bears play in person. Those efforts have helped transform individual supporters into a connected and engaged community.
In its third year, the NFL International Fan of the Year program honors extraordinary fans who inspire others through their passion for the game and serve as rallying forces in their local communities. Carretero is the first individual from Spain to be nominated for the award by any NFL club. The Bears are one of three teams with marketing rights in Spain as part of the league's Global Markets Program and continue to expand their presence through year-round engagement efforts, including the recent launch of a girls flag football league in Madrid and Barcelona.
Carretero and nominees from the NFL's other 31 teams are invited to attend the 2026 draft in Pittsburgh in April, where one of them will be honored as the NFL International Fan of the Year. Fans can vote for Carretero by visiting nfl.com/intlfanoftheyear.
"Bears fans hail from countries around the world," said Sarah Smith, Bears vice president of fan development and brand marketing. "Cristian's passion and commitment reflect the strength of our growing fanbase in Spain. The way he has helped bring Bears fans together and celebrate the team from afar speaks to the global reach of this organization. We're proud to recognize Cristian as our 2025 NFL International Fan of the Year and look forward to having him represent the Chicago Bears at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh."
Since the Bears began activating in Spain in 2022, Carretero has attended every team-related event in the market, traveling thousands of miles across the country and internationally to support watch parties, community events and flag football clinics. Whether in Madrid, Barcelona, London or elsewhere, he has consistently shown up to represent the Bears and connect with fellow fans as American football continues to grow across Europe.
To follow the Bears' international efforts, log onto chicagobears.com/international/ or visit @bearses and @ukchicagobears on Instagram.
