SINCE Will Carter could walk he has had a soccer ball at his feet.
The nine-year-old from Mullaloo dreams of becoming a professional soccer player like his idols Gareth Bale, Tim Cahill and Lionel Messi.
Will is now one step closer to that dream after being selected in December to represent WA in Spain next month at the two-day International Junior Soccer Cup.
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READ NOWSelected by Total Football Development, Will is one of nine boys from the state to be heading to Madrid in March to play against Barcelona, Real Madrid, Athletico Madrid and Getafe.
The Mullaloo Beach Primary School student plays up an age group for ECU in the National Premier League and hopes to one day outdo his idols’ success.
“This would be a good chance to show the big clubs what I am made of,” he said.
“My favourite players are Gareth Bale. Tim Cahill and Lionel Messi.
“My goal is to be better than all of them.”
Although ecstatic with the news of Will being selected, it came at a scary time for him and his family because his mother Claire Carter had just been diagnosed with an unexpected illness.
In the same month of Will being told he was heading overseas, Mrs Carter had an operation on her throat that the family are still paying hospital bills for.
The mother-of-three counted herself lucky to have caught the illness early but said it was “scary” and was a financial burden ahead of Will’s international trip.
“Originally it was just going to be Will and my husband (travelling), but since this scare we decided we’re all going to go because we want to make as many special memories as we can as a family,” she said.
“It makes you re-evaluate your life and what’s important.”
Mrs Carter said Will had a “natural passion for soccer” and started playing at age two as soon as he could walk.
“He’s always had a ball at his feet and was really good from the minute he started walking,” she said.
“He started playing in Wales for a club when he was two and since then he’s been really focused on his goals and dream.”
In an effort to help the family and ensure Will was able to reach his dream, a friend set up a GoFundMe page to fundraise money for the trip.
To help Will and his family, visit gofundme.com/will-to-reach-his-dream.
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