FC Balzers, a small village football club in Liechtenstein, has recently gained significant attention thanks to 20-year-old influencer Valentin Scarsini. Known as “El Scarso,” he leveraged his social media presence to promote the club, resulting in a dramatic increase in followers. This newfound popularity has attracted interest from major clubs and opened opportunities for FC Balzers, while local officials celebrated Scarsini’s contributions with honorary membership. The club remains focused on enjoying this moment without challenging the dominance of larger teams.
FC Balzers: A Village Club with a New Twist
Until just three weeks ago, FC Balzers was like any other small village football club in Liechtenstein, nestled in a community of around 4,700 residents. The club provided local youth with a recreational outlet, hosted an annual raffle (with prizes such as a box spring bed), and boasted a theater group known for its quirky productions like “Aunt Jutta from Calcutta” and “Dr. Otto Wins the Lottery.”
Despite its humble status, FC Balzers has a rich history, having clinched the Liechtenstein Cup eleven times, second only to FC Vaduz, which holds an impressive 50 titles. Notably, local legend Mario Frick, who now coaches FC Luzern, began his professional journey here, alongside famed ski champions Marco Büchel and Markus Foser. The club also played host to Rudi Brunnenmeier, a former German national player and Bundesliga top scorer, who ended his career with them. Yet, in recent times, FC Balzers has faced challenges, with the last cup victory dating back nearly three decades, and a current standing in the middle of the table in the Swiss 2nd league interregional.
Valentin Scarsini: The Young Influencer Breathing Life into FC Balzers
However, a ray of hope emerged at the end of December in the form of 20-year-old Valentin Scarsini, affectionately known as “El Scarso.” Hailing from Argentina, a nation renowned for its football prowess, Scarsini is a digital creator aiming to entertain audiences through creative video content. With a significant following of about 1.2 million across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Scarsini decided to lend his influence to a lesser-known football club, choosing FC Balzers as his canvas for a social experiment.
On December 28, Scarsini began promoting FC Balzers, and within two weeks, the club’s Instagram followers skyrocketed from around 1,000 to an astonishing 420,000, surpassing even FC Basel and several Bundesliga teams in the process. His spontaneous trip to Balzers allowed him to connect with the team, where he was welcomed by players and experienced the local culture, including a humorous attempt at ice skating in Malbun.
This surge in popularity has opened doors for FC Balzers, leading to invitations from major clubs like FC Basel and inquiries from professional teams about trial training and merchandise distribution. To manage the influx of attention, Sandro Wolfinger, the club’s captain and marketing head, took leave from his job to handle the growing requests.
During a recent press conference at the FC Balzers sports field, Scarsini expressed his enthusiasm for the club, having used artificial intelligence to find a team that resonated with his vision. The club’s colors, reminiscent of his favorite Argentine team, added a personal touch to his choice, although he clarified his allegiance lies with Club Atlético Huracán.
While the connection between Argentina and Liechtenstein has been minimal, Scarsini’s engagement has sparked excitement among local officials, who awarded him honorary membership during a recent training session. However, it remains to be seen whether this newfound fame will lead to long-term success for the club, with many of the new followers coming from South and Central America.
As FC Balzers rides this unexpected wave of popularity, club officials remain grounded, focusing on enjoying the moment rather than challenging the dominance of FC Vaduz. The main sponsor, a local casino, hopes this attention will yield favorable results, while the club continues to explore the possibilities that “El Scarso” has brought to their doorstep.