FIFA is the biggest selling franchise in EA Sports history. The company launched the game’s latest version FIFA 13, with a star studded event in New York City. On hand to celebrate the occasion were the New York Red Bulls, including Rafa Marquez; Snoop Lion; Susan Sarandon and New York Giants Wide Receiver Victor Cruz. In an exclusive interview the Superbowl Champion talks about his love for FIFA 13 and the origin of his famous Salsa touchdown celebration.

HOMBRE: Are you a big gamer?
Victor Cruz: I play a ton of FIFA. I play it a lot when I’m home. It’s kind of the only game that I play as of late, so definitely.

H: Are you ‘Madden’ or FIFA?
VC: Right now I have to say FIFA. Madden is a good game and I play it. But playing football at work all day and then come home and play more football… I kind of want to switch it up a little bit. So I go for a little futbol if you know what I mean.

H: So are you a big soccer fan?
VC: I am a big soccer fan. I’m a big Ronaldo fan, so yes I love soccer.

H: With the World Cup coming up in 2014, who are you looking forward to seeing play?
VC: I’m definitely looking forward to Portugal, obviously because of Ronaldo. I’m also looking forward to the USA team, hopefully if we make it down there. I’m a big Messi fan, so naturally Argentina. I’m looking forward to a little bit of everybody. I love good soccer. I love a good goal… watching the technique, the ability of some of those players is just remarkable. I just like a good soccer game.

H: We
just saw the HBO special, The Latino list: Volume 2, where you discussed how
you integrated the salsa dance as a celebration of your touchdowns. Tell us
about that.
VC: The very first time it happened it was a thing where my coaches dared me to do it. It was my first start. And once I did it my grandmother’s phone started ringing off the hook. She called me and said, “You have to keep doing it. I taught you how to do it. I love you to death and I want you keep doing it. Represent you, your culture, where you came from. Don’t ever stop.” So once grandma gives you that cosign you can’t put it to bed now

Figures from the FIFA franchise are staggering:
•    More than 2.3 billion gamer s have played FIFA 12 since the initial launch
•    More than 5 million online connected games every day
•     The FIFA franchise has generated more than $5 billion USD since it began in 1993.
•    FIFA 12 was the biggest game launch in the history of sports videogames, selling more than 3.7 million units in the first week and more than 10 million games in the first four months.

 Snoop Lion with Susan Sarandon

 Rafa Marquez

 Ashley Favara is a model, writer and television personality.