Personal Narrative: My Favorite Soccer Player

Any passionate soccer player would agree that the moment you step onto the pitch, feel the adrenaline, and hear the whistle blow to begin the match is one of the most incomparable feelings to experience. It is at this moment, I am put in a state of complete focus and euphoria that I can’t imagine experiencing in any other way.
Having played soccer since I was 5 years old, I’ve noticed that the feeling I get inside hasn’t changed one bit. This feeling is like no other. I lose every negative thought and only focus on the goals I am trying to accomplish. In this state, I realize that my potential as a student, athlete, friend, and leader is limitless. Whether it’s through the often harsh conditions, injuries, or, let’s just say, a not-so-great
referee, I’ve learned the essentials to life, all through the sport I love. As for harsh conditions, I play soccer all year, forcing myself to endure particularly hot, cold, rainy, and even snowy climates. There are days in which it is so incredibly hot and humid that the mere idea of being able to get through the entire practice is unimaginable. Similarly, there are days in which the freezing air fills my lungs, making it dreadful to keep playing. The one thing I learned from playing in these brutal conditions is that, no matter how strenuous the tasks, they can always be accomplished. There is nothing that I can’t do if I put my mind to it.
My love for the game has brought out various characteristics in myself that I would not have known I possessed if it wasn’t for soccer.
I discovered my ability to work well with others, leadership, and determination all through a game that I am so passionate about. In addition to being a soccer player, I am a soccer referee as well which has been the most life changing job experience I have ever had. The light I see in the eyes of the children I ref signifies the same level of passion that I had and continue to have for the beautiful game. I love being a soccer referee; however, the amount of anxiety and uneasiness I experienced the first time I had to ref my first game three years ago was overwhelming. All of these frightening emotions came from the fact that I was being evaluated to see if I was qualified to continue to ref. Ironically, after the game ended, my evaluator told me that I did a fantastic job. That particular experience provided me with an immeasurable amount of confidence. Ever since then, I have continued to ref without a hint of nervousness. I realized that there is not a single upset parent, difficult player, or intimidating evaluator that can hinder my courage, leadership, or
tenacity.
Soccer isn’t just a game to me. It has been a crucial step in my development into the person that I am today. Through the relationships that I have made with teams and coaches, the joy I see in the kids I ref, and the sheer feeling of stepping onto the field, soccer has given me an enormous amount of happiness. Most importantly, however, it began my vital transformation from a lost and timid 13 year old boy to a tenacious, determined, and responsible young man.