BONJOUR MIGUEL AVRAMOVIC
So who is Miguel Avramovic !? Miguel (born 18 July 1981 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine rugby player, currently playing for Montauban in France. And for the amateurs, Miguel Avramovic was photographied for the Dieux Du Stade calendar by Steven Klein and as you will see in the second part of the post Miguel still has no problems being naked in front of the camera :-)
Today we have some great photos by Andy Cherniavsky for Romeo mag.
Oh! before you check out the super hot photos below we have a video of Miguel.
Miguel's interview AFTER THE JUMP so you can learn more about this Argentinean-Serbian rugby hunk ;-)
Of Serbian origin, from where his paternal grandparents immigrated in WWII, his friends call him “the Russian”. He started at San Carlos, shone at Alumni, later went to Worcester and, since 2007, has played for Montauban with whom he has a contract until mid-2009. He appeared in our national colors for one game with The Pumas. His imposing physique and sex appeal make him perfect for the calendar pin-up Dieux de Stade 2008 (Stadium 12 2008) with Steve Klein as photographer. Today he poses for ROMEO and we look at his personality – as attractive and captivating as his body.
Tell us about how you started…
I started at the Argentine Modeling School, the owner was from San Carlos and they played soccer and rugby. I was enthusiastic, and rugby hooked me.
No family history of that – your father played soccer… It’s true, he did. And I played a little in school, until I was fifteen, but it wasn’t my thing. I played a few years, but my friends were into rugby and when San Carlos’ team dissolved a friend proposed I come play for Alumni. I lived close, it was comfortable to go play on the weekends, so why not? I began to take it more seriously.
You enjoy training...
I tried to be responsible – not go out the night before a game, trained with the club twice a week and soon every day with as group of friends and a personal trainer to get in shape. Now I train every day, like a professional, In France and in England, rugby is a job. I train the way my trainer tells me to. I’m responsible for the way I eat, getting my rest, and focusing on something to better myself.
What other sports do you play?
Like all Argentines I played soccer as a boy and also tennis. But I only play tennis with friends. Anything outside of rugby is just for fun, to relax. I don’t play with strangers, I have enough pressure with rugby, if I lose to friends it doesn’t matter.
You played rugby for Worcester in England. What was it like to play and live there? They like to play one on one, a physical contest, keeping the ball, though in the end it makes for a less showy game.
In terms of the pressure, can you compare it to Argentina?
It’s about “performance”. Soccer and rugby are a mix of sports, business and sponsors. It’s big business with a lot of pressure. If a player has a two-year contract and doesn’t perform well, they cancel his contract and pay him off.
What was it like to live in the U.K.? Did you have Argentine friends or live alone? Did you eat out?
It was a chance to know another culture through its food. I gave Spanish classes to English boys, first at the house and later we’d go out to a bar and chat. English culture is very oriented around work, but getting out was a good experience, for me and for them. In France, playing for Montauban, what is it like?
Luckily I have many Argentine friends and we go out more. French cooking is spectacular; English is really bland. Thankfully I learned how to cook, though in France I don’t need to because everything is so good.
And the sport?
The training is more relaxed than in England. In France the player is freer to follow his instincts, so more comfortable for an Argentine. That’s why Argentines do well playing France, it’s less cold, you play and have fun on the field.
You have friends all over the world, from different cultures - that must open doors for you?
I have friends in Morocco, Canada, Fiji… I’m thankful to rugby for that. Plus, learning languages – though I spoke some English I really improved it, and I had to learn quickly in France. Fundamental is the interchange of cultures.
Perhaps it was that that got you to pose nude for the Stadium 12 Calendar 2008?
Yes. I went to stay in England for a year. It’s a very open society, mentally speaking, everyone does what he wants and it doesn’t bother anyone. In Argentina people pay too much attention to each other, it’s very constricting. There, it doesn’t matter how you look, as long as you show up for work. Here, they see one tattoo and they treat you as a drug addict, a failure – there’s a lot of prejudice – there, none.
How did you come to do it?
The calendar was made for the Stade de France players, the president organized it that year and he wanted to make it a grand production, contracting the famous photographer Steven Klein and his whole team. Although it was planned for the national team they invited other clubs. I had already signed with Montauban. They offered me a contract to use my image in the calendar. I didn’t want to do frontal nudity and they respected that.
You live in France, the cradle of fashion, do you pay attention to it?
Yes, I have to living there – they have rules about entering clubs and bars about what you wear - here, no one cares.
Do you have favorite brands?
I have a contract with Nike, but most of the time I’m just casual. If I go out I dress up – Hugo Boss or Armani.
Favorite type of night out?
Dinner at a good restaurant with friends, enjoy ourselves; end up at a bar for drinks, but not a club.
What kind of music do you listen to?
Rock. I’ve played guitar since I was a kid.
So sing for us! I’d love to, but I can’t sing.
Your contract with Montauban ends in July, what then?
I’ve talked with my club and have to resolve things when I go back. I’m also considering other offers. I’m ambiguous, some days I’m content at the club, other days I just want to go to beach or make a change.
Although you didn’t play in the rugby championship in France, you played with The Pumas. How was it to play in that jersey? I remember it was November 5, 2004, I was nervous but happy. That year I trained with them a lot. I remember I was really nervous because I hadn’t talked with my family. We played South Africa, a difficult match. It was a mix of excitement and anxiety, playing and representing my country at the same time. It was a proud moment.
You know you have quite a few fan blogs? And admirers of both sexes?
So I hear. It’s a good thing.
No prejudices?
About gays? No, none!
Have you ever been hit on?
Yes, but always with respect. Maybe on the Internet someone has said something that made me feel bad, but in person, nothing has ever happened, and if someone approached me in person, I could always let him know I’m heterosexual. But I have no preconceptions about gay guys, I’ve trained with them at the gym and we got along perfectly.
Have you lived with gay roommates on the teams?
Not that I know of. I think that there’s less prejudice in England and France, they’re much more evolved societies in that sense. Not like here where if you’re gay things are going to be more difficult, because our society is just that way. My friends in Toulouse play with a guy who announced last year he was living with another man. On the field he’s a ferocious player, and when he told everyone, nothing happened and no one said anything.
How do you deal with your admirers’ enthusiasm?
I’m down to earth, I’m a simple guy, I don’t believe anything. If you’re successful there’s no reason to be arrogant about it.
Are you in a couple?
At the moment I’m single.
How about your other profession, as a general medical doctor, right?
Yes, I finished my studies and just need to finish two or three rotations and then I’ll get my diploma and graduate. Here, to work, you need to specialize and I haven’t decided. I’m 27 and want to keep playing until I’m 35 or 36 and then be a doctor until I’m 80. This is my time to enjoy; I’ll work later on.
How did you manage to get through the program?
It was hard, I studied part-time from age 18 to 24, but I have the example of my father who was a doctor, as is my aunt and my grandfather.
Here in Argentina what do you like to do?
Go out to the countryside on Saturday with my friends, have a barbecue, tell stories and come back late – maybe a bar or club after.
Rugby idols?
Patricio Albacete who plays for the Pumas – he’s a model of professionalism, sacrifice, and he’s one of the best players in the world.
How do you see the national level of rugby?
There’s not much, but it’s gaining bit by bit. I think too many good players left to play in England, France or Italy. And it’s a recent thing; the Pumas are a group of semi-professionals. It will evolve.
Anyone you want to thank in your life?
My parents, without them I couldn’t be where I am today. I only hope I can give back to them 5% of what they gave me.
