You’ve been at this since 7.
Not 7 a.m…age 7.
Every day you play this game.
With a ball, with a can, with a rolled-up bundle of socks.
You eat, breathe, and sleep it.
Not for money. Not for fame.
You play football because it’s who you are.
You’ve literally never thought of being anything else.
On the pitch you find your identity.
Off the pitch you wear that identity like a badge of honor.
Unmistakably. Unapologetically. You are a footballer.
And from the U team, to the B team, to the call-up, you’ll never forget
where you came from, who you are, and what it took to get here.
Other things matter. But never as much as this.
Because for you, there is only football.
