Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Gaston Fratesi Steimberg always dreamed of combining his passions for football, community, and meaningful connection. As a young adult, he decided to experience life in Israel through the Masa Career – Discover Israel program, arriving with his girlfriend from Argentina — who remains his partner to this day.
“I joined an internship in the field I love most — football, of course,” he laughs.
“I worked at Track160, a platform specializing in football analytics and game data.”
At first, Gaston had no plans to make Aliyah.
“I just wanted to spend some time in Israel for the experience — but life here turned out to be incredible for me.”
In a remarkable twist, by the end of the program not only did Gaston and his partner decide to make Aliyah — but 45 other participants from his cohort did as well.
“We came during the COVID lockdowns, when restrictions back home were severe. Over time, we became like a family.”
Years later, following the October 7 attacks and the beginning of the Iron Swords War, many new immigrants in Israel found themselves anxious and uncertain. That’s when Gaston returned to his lifelong passion — football.
“At the start of the war, I decided to join a football club INTERALIYAH for men and women — all new immigrants, not just from Latin America. The idea was to help people through the sport I love.”
Soon, Gaston took things a step further. Together with a friend, he founded AyresTLV, a OLIM football club that today includes over 100 players — men and women from more than 20 countries, including Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Australia, Spain, the U.S., Mexico, England, Italy, Germany, Belarus, and New Zealand.
The club holds weekly tournaments and regular practices on a pitch in Jaffa,also participates in a Saturday amateur league, and is now planning to expand next season into additional sports.
“But the main focus isn’t football,” Gaston explains. “It’s about being together — making barbecues, meeting new people, and building a support system. Some of our players serve in the army reserves. Unlike Israeli-born reservists, their families aren’t here — so when they come home, they come to us.”
Beyond the matches, the group goes out together after every game, creating real friendships and a deep sense of belonging.
“Many new immigrants tell me this is their family in Israel. People give back the same energy we invest. We even host Masa groups who want to play with us. I make people want to stay in Israel because they find a community here. I think many wouldn’t have stayed if it weren’t for this sense of connection. We even go to matches together as fans.”
Today, Gaston works in the hi-tech industry, at a company he truly enjoys — EXCO.
But beyond his professional success, what drives him most is helping others.
“My desire to support the community is what keeps me happy and alive,” he says. “Building community — that’s what I want. I wasn’t like this before coming to Israel. I used to think mostly about myself. Moving here, living through the war, meeting soldiers — it made me think about others. Football is my passion, but so is Israel — and now I’m bringing those passions together.”