90+ Minutes

Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.
Pele

Wow that’s how I would describe this year, Wise, Opulent and Wonderful. I tend to struggle into the first verses of most blogs / emails until all the sudden the ideas collapse into a big mixture and tracking each idea becomes imperative, like a big cup of noodles good luck separating them. This year was challenging, special, I played every minute of it to the best of my abilities, so I feel soccer is owed a big letter of appreciation. In North America Football is the number 1 sport but to the rest of the world nothing is above Fútbol. I was born in South America which gave me a distinctive appreciation for soccer, I grew up with it, I grew up with athletes, so I have a lot of respect for their discipline and determination. Athletes push themselves when others quit, there’s a sense of pride in the efforts / work one does because when you are on the field you are there to be your very best and that’s it, life is a big field… The financial discrepancy of North America in comparison to the rest of the world is vast making it hard to comprehend real needs unless one travels to other countries, and to the lesser tourist parts of these. That financial disparity evaporates while playing on the field. However, that same poverty has raised some of the best soccer players as it becomes the dream of many young boys and their incentive to help their families. This year World Cup 2022 took place and I got to see my favorite player Lionel Messi win it, “Leo, Messi, La Pulga” you decide the name, he had won all the titles but a World Cup. A trophy which fills up stadiums, makes masses move, men dream of and few of the best players get to achieve, but this year “La Pulga” fulfilled his dream, Argentina’s dream.

The World Cup is a very important way to measure the good players, and the great ones. It is a test of a great player.
Pele

Now, one has to give appreciation / admiration where it is deserved and before “La Pulga” even existed there was Pele also known as “El Rey”. The first time I was vividly impressed by Pele was from an interview, Pele told the reporter of the first time he saw his dad crying, something to the extent of “I was about 8 years old when I saw my dad crying in front of the TV, I said, dad what is wrong? Brazil just lost the World Cup Pele – don’t worry dad I will win it for you! – not knowing the commitment I had made!” Not only did “El Rey” win one World Cup instead Pele went to win three Wold Cups 1958, 1962, 1970. A little boy from Brazil gave his country so much hope and pride. Both Pele and Messi faced different decades, uncertainties and difficulties, yet both players kept rising above each match. At the time of Pele’s era he became a sign of hope for Brazil as it struggled with its political climate and the truth is that most countries trying to better themselves are… There are many good players, but only one Pele, one Messi, one of us, so finding our purpose is vital because we shouldn’t settle for less than the best. God doesn’t limit us we limit ourselves. God’s timing is not always ours yet perfect. Life changes when we change, when we push for better and higher. Growing comes with growing pains, but quitting is not an option, so if over time we play until the last minute, if penalties we focus and pray. Preparation starts with daily practice and the celebration comes after the long hard work has been laid through consistency, dedication, and commitment with the right teammates. Cheers to you 2022, and all the blessings into you 2023 with the right Team!

RIP Pele 🇧🇷 12.30.22