Nico Williams won a gold medal at the World Cup and in act of honour he gave it to his mom. She crossed the Sahara Desert barefoot… while pregnant, just to escape Ghana for Spain and a new life for her family.
Not As Fast As Mom
Jocelyn and I watched the extra time portion of the world Cup gold medal game driving home from our work in Stettler, Alberta. Only in soccer can a 0:0 tie after 90 minutes mean an exciting game. We watched Williams chase down a ball, keep a ball in play in the 106th minute, and deliver a precise header for substitute Ferran Torres, who smashed it past the Argentinian keeper to secure a 1-0 victory.
And then the best part of the World Cup happened for Williams.
In the early ’90s, the soccer star’s parents endured a grueling journey. First, they were crammed into the back of a truck overflowing with refugees. Then, they walked barefoot through the desert for days without food or water, stepping on sand that burned at 104°F (40°C).
To this day, his father’s feet have completely lost all feeling.
When Nico’s parents finally reached the border, the family climbed over a fence and were immediately arrested, but against all odds, they were granted asylum. Just a couple of months later, Iñaki was born. Eight years after that, Nico came into the world.
Nico explained to reporters, “I run very fast, but I can’t run as fast as my mother. She once escaped death and crossed the Sahara to come from Ghana to Spain. I am who I am today because of her.”
Rising From The Beautiful Game
Nico’s story of rising from poverty is more common than people new to the beautiful game may realize. Football acts as a universal equalizer. Some of my best memories of Africa come from our missions team on a soccer pitch in 1988 in Uganda playing with neighbourhood kids and getting schooled.
In many parts of the world, football is what you play when you’re extremely hungry. When you can’t even afford food or a place to sleep.
Requiring nothing more than a ball and a patch of ground, football provides hope and opportunity for youth experiencing poverty worldwide. Some of football’s household names share similar stories.
Three of the Best
Pele – Grew up in Bauru, Brazil, so poor that he couldn’t afford a proper football. He practiced by kicking a sock stuffed with newspapers and tied with string and worked as a shoeshine boy to help support his family before becoming a three-time FIFA World Cup champion.
Diego Maradona: Raised in Villa Fiorito, a notorious shantytown on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina. His family shared a tiny house with no running water or electricity, driving his fierce determination to succeed on the pitch.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Born in a working-class neighborhood in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. His mother was a cook and his father an impoverished kit man; Ronaldo shared a single room with his three siblings and often relied on free leftovers from local fast-food workers.
Good on Nico’s mom and dad and all the other parents who sacrificed for future generations to give them opportunity. And better on Nico for remembering and honouring.
Did you see the World Cup final? Did your team win? Were you impressed with Williams act of honour? Please leave your comment below.
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