When I was finally in LA, I knew there was no turning back. I started to play a few training matches against the competitors, just to get the feel of things to come. Erick Baca, the guy from Microsoft, who was with us, gave me advice and the heads up about another great player, that was there too. His name is Isidro Sifuentes, or better known as Novusnaim; from the Dallas Venom.

He told me that he was the best player in the USA. The tournament began and I was winning all my games. Then I saw how Isidro was playing. I thought it was amazing, how he was beating all his opponents in a really easy way. In that moment, I thought, if I can beat Isidro, I could be the champion. I could be in London! There I was, on the regional semifinals, with my rival Novusnaim. I was nervous, but at the same time, I had faith that I could win. The match started, and it was a 0-0 for the first half. I was playing great and then, GOOAAAAAAAAAAL!!! My first one, but right away Isidro scored, and we were tied 1-1. It was the 88th minute of the game. We were just about to go in to extra time, when Isidro got a rebound, just in front of my goalkeeper. I just thought, well, maybe this is it, but I played a great tournament, and I was ok with that. But, he takes the shot and hits the Post. I couldn’t believe I was still alive. I took the ball and gave it to Adriano in the midfield. I dribbled the ball through defenders, but I was to far away to score a goal. I shot, maybe thinking of getting a corner kick. The ball flew through the air, hit the post—and GOOLL!! At the last minute of the game! I couldn’t believe it, I was in shock. My next rival for the championship was none other than Felipe Stoyne or “Kreegan BG”who is on team LA complexity. I was very confident I could win that game. I did 4-2. That was a dream come true. I was regional champion, and I was going to London to the world finals. It was absolutely amazing to think that there was a chance that I could be champion of the world!

The game rules changed for the world finals. Now, we will be playing on the brand new XBOX 360. The game on the Road to Fifa World Cup 2006. I prepared myself everyday. My father decided to accompany me on the trip to London. There I had the chance to meet with all the champions of their regions. It was awesome to be able to talk and to play against the best players in the world. The day of the tournament, I was really nervous. I played a few matches against my future rivals, and then the moment to announce the group’s line up came. I ended up on group B, with David Letsoao, the representative of Africa. Manuel Voltolina was also there from Italy, along with Michael Barret. You know Michael Barret best as bazza. He is from the Salvo team of the UK, and also Masi from Spain. My first game was against David Letsoao. I beat him 3-0. Then I faced Masi. I lost 2-0. My next game was crucial; I had to win it to stay alive on the tournament. It was against Manuel Voltolina. I was losing by 2 goals to 0, but I was not giving it up. I ended up winning 3-2, which was a great game. I had to win my last game against Michael to move on to the semifinals. If I had lost, Manuel would have gone on. I won that game by 5-0, and moved on to the semifinals.

I was getting closer to being champion, and my next rival was winner of the group A. His name was Chris Bullard, from the UK or “CrisyB”.who now plays for the London Mint. I was really nervous going into this game. If I won, I would be a world finalist. If I lost, I would have to play the third place game. Unfortunately, I missed a ball right in front of my goalkeeper, as the game started. He scored a goal. Then I came right back and scored one of my own 1-1. Unfortunately, in the midfield, I made a fault with Ronaldinho and he got a red card. WOW! Pretty bad. Then he scored a goal against me right away, and I scored right back. 2-2! He was dominating the match, but I was not giving it up. We went to extra time. In that extra time, he scored one goal, then another 4-2. I lost the game. I was very sad. On the other hand, I was still in the tournament. I could still fight to be in third place for the Fifa world cup. My rival was Masi from Spain. He beat me in the group phase, and for me he is the best player in the world. In that game I changed my formation from 4-1-2-1-2 to 5-2-1-2 because he was the best scoring from the sides.

We were on the stage and the trophies were right in front of us. I wanted a trophy, and I was not going home, without at least being third place in the world. The game started, and in the first 20 minutes I was losing 2-0. It didn’t look good for me. In my mind I kept thinking “I may be playing with desperation, but I am going to fight to the bitter end” I scored a goal and it was 2-2. WOW! Great, the game was another time draw. He scored another goal, then another, now 4-2. I was feeling at lot of pressure at that moment. I was just recovering from being down 2-0, and there I was losing again by two goals. I just knew I was better than that; I would never give up, even until the last minute. Then in a really strange play- goal 4-3 –in the next play 4-4. At the last possible moment of the game yeaaaaaaa! I draw the game once more incredibly. On the next play, I was going alone to score the final and last goal, but Masi had other plans for the game. He committed a foul and he received a red card.

We went to extra time. I was there, I was alive. I really wanted that game. The extra time started. I scored! 5-4. I was leading the game, but then he scored a goal 5-5 aaaaaa. As the game continued, I was sweating and my hands were shaking. I wanted that game. In my heart, and in my mind, there was nothing more important than winning. I scored again 6-5. I just needed to control the game to win, but right away he scored –goal. I couldn’t believe it. I was so close to winning, but he made a draw of the game once again, at the very last minute. I had just one chance to score before we went to penalty kicks. U was on the right side of the corner, Roberto Carlos had the ball. My last play of the game was going to be to center. I just put it out there. The ball flew through the air. Adriano was there. He jumped up like an angel and with his head put the ball right on the post. From the post to the net-GOLLLLL!!!!My heart was pounding at about 120 beats a minute. 7-6, it was over at last. I was exhausted, and my mind was in other places. I just fell down on my knees and thanked god. I shaked Masi’s hand, and told him, that he was the best player I have ever played with in my life. I jumped up on the main stage, with a huge scream. I gave my father a huge hug. I was third place in the entire world, if somebody had told me that I would be here. I would not have believed them. Then the award ceremony started. I receive my trophy, my Fifa trophy. Now every time I look at that trophy, I know anything is possible in this life. I know that any dream, can become true, and that if you want something with all your heart, and you fight for it, you can get it.


So for me, that’s the end of the story, always fight for your dreams and never give up.