This nine-year-old soccer ace needs a kickstart to set him on his way to Brazil for an opportunity of a lifetime.
Mikaeel Atkins, from Steenberg, needs R35 000 to take part in the Iber Cup soccer tournament in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo next month.
He will be the only player representing Cape Town in the Under-9 SuperSport United team.
He comes from a soccer mal family and his proud ouma, Rochelle Atkins, 49, who has been looking after Mikaeel since birth, really wants him to go.
“On Tuesday, we got a call to say Mikaeel is one of the chosen boys to go to Brazil, but we need R35 000,” she says.
“In October, he went for trials at SuperSport United, but we were told he did not make it as he was too young and the boys chosen were all from soccer academies.”
“He went again for a tournament to Johannesburg and then we got the call. I was so overwhelmed by the news.”
The shy boy, who has been playing soccer since the age of four, is a versatile player.
HIS BIGGEST SUPPORTERS: Mikaeel with his grandparents Rochelle and Colin Atkins
Mikaeel is an ardent Liverpool fan but says his soccer idol is the Argentine forward Lionel Messi.
“My favourite player in the world is Messi. I like how he dribbles, takes shots and the vision he has. My local team is SuperSport United. When I grow up I want to be just like Messi,” Mikaeel says.
The young soccer player says unlike many children around, he does not like Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Ronaldo is a selfish player. He cannot dribble or even run with a ball so why would I prefer him? I prefer Messi above everyone.
“I would like to go to Brazil, I cannot say what can be expected of me. We will have to wait and see as we cannot talk ahead of time,” Mikaeel explains.
His grandfather, Colin Atkins, 52, says he is willing to do everything to get his grandchild to Brazil.
“I used to be part of the South African Federation soccer legion and we never had chances like this in our day to go overseas,” he says.
“I will do anything for him to go to Brazil and get this experience and exposure.”
If you would like to assist Mikaeel, contact Rochelle on 076 513 0827.
robin.francke@inl.co.za