MARACANÃ: A DREAM COME TRUE

One of the main reasons that I have had my heart set on one day traveling to Brazil was the fact that I am in LOVE with soccer, or futêbol as the Brazilleans call it. What better place to be…”, I always thought, “than the country that is iconic for its love and passion for the game?”

Ever since I first learned how to walk, there was a soccer ball nearby. From AYSO at age three to competitive club soccer at the young age of ten, soccer was truly my life. I dedicated years of my life playing club soccer, certainly on the right path to receiving an athletic scholarship for college. With intentions to play soccer at the University of Sounthern California, I injured my ankle senior year of high school and was forced to take a break from the game that I love so much.

Every four years when the FIFA World Cup comes around, my eyes are completely glued to the TV screen for weeks. However, last year as I watched the World Cup tournament taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I would have never dreamed that just under a year later, I would be standing in that very stadium. On the first day of this study abroad program, we visited Maracanã Stadium. We got to sit in the VIP section (invitation only seating), tour the team locker rooms, their warm up rooms, walk through the infamous tunnel and out onto the field. As if that was not enough, we were able to sit in the sideline seats where the players actually sit during the game. My heart was racing the entire time!

As I toured the stadium, all I kept thinking to myself was, “I am actually here… How did I ever get so lucky?” As a soccer player myself, I 100% understand the passion and love for the sport, and found myself in awe of my surroundings. Sitting in the sideline seats, I thought of all of the players who sat in those exact same seats looking out over the same field as I was and all of the hard work that they had to do in order to get to where they were. I know the hardships they faced, the sacrifices that they made, and the hours they spent practicing and training for the moment that they would have the opportunity to play in the World Cup. What an honor on its own!

To be completely honest, I teared up at least five times in the hour or so that we were there. Obviously the most excited and moved out of our whole group, I believe that it was because it really hit home for me, and I felt such a strong connection with the Brazillean people. Soccer is such a huge part of their culture, and I can not even imagine how proud the Brazilian people are to have hosted such a magnificent and successful tournament of their own national sport in their own native country. I was so touched and honored just to have the opportunity to see it, let alone do all of the exclusive things that we were permitted to do as part of the tour. I know for a fact that people all around the world would do anything for an opportunity to visit the Maracanã Stadium like we did, and the fact that we were able to visit it on our first day here in Rio made this trip for me truly a dream come true.

P.S. You know I had to bring home a souvenir from the gift shop… I hope you like my customized jersey