A ray of brightness shines through a rundown changing room window, while depressed faces and lowering heads of despair are contained in defeat. No talk, no liveliness, no desire, but he was different. Each glare towards him was filled with promise, hope and belief. Shy at first, but a prosperity soon to be a star in the making, similar to the professionals of today.
Swaying along the pitch, making the beautiful game look so simple, I recognise his exciting talent in such short time. From a nobody to somebody, from Sunday mornings to Saturday afternoons, from overgrown fields to world-class stadiums, his ability was something like a dream to be achieved. I could see a free-scoring youngster changing into a confident and composed technician of the ball. His passion and love for his sport: I found the special one.
An iconic memory to be made. A performance different to any other that he has ever produced. Tingling with nerves, but spurred with ecstasy, a long walk through the eerie tunnel to appear to the noise of 90,000 fans chanting his name only happens to the best of them. The stage was made for him. Sporting the shirt he always wanted to represent and being a part of a high-calibre eleven: a dream was fulfilled.
From a young prodigy to international stardom, a rare gem has been born. A minor piece in the jigsaw has become the real man of the moment.