Audio By Carbonatix
A SOCCER wonderkid with NO FEET has been invited to train at Barcelona - and meet his idol Lionel Messi.
Skilful schoolboy Gabriel Muniz, 11, amazed bosses after they saw him on TV and invited him to their summer academy.
And now the Spanish club have offered to fly the youngster, who lives in Brazil, to Spain to showcase his skills and meet his hero.
Talented Gabriel - who was born without feet - is one of the top players at his school and captain of his gym class.
Gabriel's mum was thrilled at the news - and said she was pleased her son had adapted to his disability from a young age because his family was too poor to pay for treatment.
She added: "He started walking before he was one. We would go after him, expecting him to keep falling, but he never fell."
Brave Gabriel’s gym teacher Jose Lopes hailed his young star.
He said: "The disability only exists inside our heads and he is proving it to everyone; he is challenging the social norms.
"When he arrived there (Barcelona academy in Rio), no one believed in him
"But he proved to everyone there, he can go head to head with any other boy. So much so that he was invited to go to Spain next month, in September, to showcase his talent.
"To this day there isn't a Paralympics 11-a-side football team, but Gabriel is showing this will have to change, because he wants to play 11-a-side football.”
Video:
Boy with no feet invited to train with Barcelona
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Booming Indicators, Dying Rivers: Ghana under Chronic Environmental Poisoning
4 minutes -
The Accra Mandate: Securing Africa’s AI Future through Local Data and Ethical Governance
33 minutes -
Aquafresh donates to National Chief Imam ahead of Ramadan
58 minutes -
Adopt a mix of bond and short-term finance to address financing challenges in cocoa industry – Professor Peprah to government
60 minutes -
NSA introduces dual authentication system for 2025/26 enrolment exercise
2 hours -
Fuel prices to increase from Feb. 16, influenced by cedi’s depreciation
3 hours -
GNFS to launch automated fire safety compliance system to modernise regulation
3 hours -
NALAG president commends Local Gov’t Minister for payment of assembly members’ allowances
3 hours -
Is having a physical security operations center in your business worth it?
3 hours -
Asiedu Nketia recounts fierce political wars in Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam constituency
3 hours -
NRSA sets up committee to probe road crashes involving Toyota Voxy
3 hours -
Cocoa farmers decry the adverse impact of producer price cut on livelihoods
3 hours -
Families who lose relatives to ‘no bed syndrome’ must sue health facilities – Dr. Nawaane
3 hours -
Ghana Sports Fund: Dr. David Kofi Wuaku outlines vision for Youth Empowerment growth through sports
4 hours -
NUGS President urges sustainable digital governance
4 hours
