Maximo Garcia Zelarayan: "Representing Armenia would be an honor. I am open to such an opportunity"

20-year-old Argentine central defender Maximo Garcia Zelarayan has expressed his readiness to play for the Armenian national team if given the chance.

In an interview with the scouting platform AFS_scout, the footballer stated:

"I have Armenian roots, my second surname is Zelarayan, but I don't have Armenian citizenship. I would proudly represent Armenia if the opportunity arises."

Maximo Garcia Zelarayan was born in the southernmost part of Argentina — the city of Rio Grande, located on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, near Antarctica. He is a product of the Sarmiento academy and, since 2024, has been playing for the Argentine club Barracas Central, where he has made 12 appearances this season for the reserve team in the local reserve league.

Interestingly, the same league also features Gonzalo Zelarayan (Belgrano II) — the nephew of Armenian national team star Lucas Zelarayan. Gonzalo received a call-up to Armenia's U21 team but could not join due to injury. Despite the shared surname, there is no confirmed familial relation between Maximo and Lucas Zelarayan.

It is known, however, that many descendants of Armenian settlers from Cilician Armenia live in Argentina, bearing the noble Zelarayan surname and preserving the memory of their heritage.

Maximo is considered a source of pride for his hometown, Rio Grande, which has produced few professional footballers. In 2021, he represented Tierra del Fuego at an international futsal tournament in Italy.