Internet Desk: The FIFA U17 World Cup is all set to put Indian football fans crazy in October 2017. Before the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Ronaldinho, Kanu, Xavi, Landon Donovan and Cesc Fabregas went on to become household names, they were just nervous teenagers chasing a big and elusive dream.
In some interviews with FIFA, a few superstars shared their memories of the junior showpiece and pass on some advice to the next generation of stars-to-be, who will line up in India this October for the 17th FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Pato (Brazil): “It was a long time ago, but I remember the tournament like it was yesterday,” said retired goalkeeper Roberto ‘Pato’ Abbondanzieri about the 1989 edition in Scotland, where his Argentina lost in the quarter-finals to Luis Figo’s impressive Portugal. “It was a like a dream come true and the first time I was able to pull on the shirt of my country and play for my colours. It was a World Cup for Argentina and the thrill was huge.”
Iker Casillas (FC Porto): Iker Casillas, the FIFA World Cup winning Spanish goalkeeper whose road to glory began at the U-17 level. Before he became virtually famed by Real Madrid’s Bernabeu faithful, and the first Spanish player in history to hoist the World Cup in Johannesburg in 2010, Casillas represented his country during a semi-final run in Egypt in 1997. He was not the team’s only star in the making, either, as Barcelona and La Roja ace Xavi was handling the playmaking duties.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Casillas told before turning his attentions to the next generation. “Even if they’re already playing for their clubs, they have to throw themselves into the tournament and have the highest hope. It’s a beautiful thing,” added a man who went on to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup two years later in Nigeria.
Florent Sinama-Pongolle (France): Fast-forward to 2001, where the sultry Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago were the setting for the U-17 extravaganza, a tournament full of future stars including Fernando Torres, Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. “Just to take part in a world tournament at that age is so special, so you can imagine what it was like to win it,” exclaimed Florent Sinama-Pongolle, who finished top scorer for champions France and was selected as the tournament’s best player and later become an automatic choice for big teams like Liverpool and Atletico Madrid.
Giovani Dos Santos (Mexico): “Winning the title was a dream come true for me and for Mexico,” Giovani dos Santos, the former Barcelona superstar said of Mexico’s historic victory in Peru in 2005, with the midfielder recently appearing for his country’s senior side at the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017. He recently told FIFA, ““It was our first world title as a country and everyone welcomed us home as heroes. We brought such joy to the people and it was amazing.”
Danny Welbeck (England) and Raheem Sterling (England): “It was a great experience,” was the assessment of Danny Welbeck, England’s star from Korea 2007, who is currently in the senior side and at English Premier League giants Arsenal. “It was a good chance for us to get away and test ourselves against players from different countries and different parts of the world. We all benefitted from it. There’s nothing better than to represent your country, especially at such a young age.” Raheem Sterling, currently representing the senior England national team and Manchester City, also remembers his U-17 journey – at Mexico 2011 – with fondness. “It’s special to play for your country, no matter what age level. It’s just that simple.”
Now it is to see who come up as the next big things in FIFA U17 World Cup 2017 in India. This is the stage where world football gets its future superstars.