Meet Fergie, the 11-year-old Indonesian boy who dreams of playing for Manchester United in memory of his dead mum.
On Saturday he fulfilled at least part of that dream, when he stepped out to a packed Old Trafford crowd as one of eleven mascots from around the world.
Fergie’s tear-jerking story is chronicled along with ten other young fans from countries including Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, South Africa, South Korea and the United States.
Ginan, co-founded the Rumah Cemara sport for development community organization in Bandung, Indonesia, said: “His mom also had HIV, like me, but already passed away five years ago.
“This kid teaches you how to struggle in a very tough life. He can prove that. Impossible means nothing for him.”
Since his mother passed away to aids, Ginan and Fergie’s grandmother have taken care of him.
He now lives with his grandmother, where he watches football matches on the television, and travels around the city with Ginan, who also has HIV, playing football with friends.
“I used to be brought to Rumah Cemara by my mom, my late mom,” Fergie said.
When asked what he would say if he met his mum again one day, with tears running down his face, he said: “I will say, ‘thank you’.”
On Saturday, Fergie and the other ten mascots flew thousands of miles to accompany the Red Devils for their opening fixture against Swansea at the Theatre of Dreams, as part of Chevrolet’s ‘What Do You #PlayFor?’ campaign.
As an added twist, the United stars walked out to a packed Old Trafford faithful bearing the name of there mascot on the back of their shirts.
The adulated Indonesian boy was then presented with Mata’s No.8 shirt, bearing his own name, which the Spanish midfielder had worn himself.
Fergie’s story isn’t the only heart-warming tame among the world eleven.
Mfanelo, 12, from Johannesburg, South Africa, learnt how to play football from his grandfather, and constantly has to fight harder on the pitch for his diminutive stature.
“I Love playing Soccer very much,” Mfanelo said. “I’m a good player. People treat me differently than others because I’m the smallest one.
“My grandfather taught me how to play soccer. Every day I watched soccer with him. We had a good time.”
Mfanelo had the honour of having United’s newly appointed captain, Wayne Rooney, bare a shirt with his name one, which he was later presented with.
In the video, the inspirational Mfanelo said: “I want to go places and I want to change the world. The bigger one’s think I’m not the best player.
“I play harder because I’m the smallest one in the field.
“One day I want to be a champion because I love playing soccer.”
As well as their unforgettable match day experience, each mascot attended a United Soccer School, was taken on a tour of Old Trafford and met a number of club legends.
Tim Mahoney, Global Chevrolet’s chief marketing officer said: “We brought 11 children from around the world to Manchester to let them experience first-hand how the power of play can create hope, optimism and possibilities not just inside Old Trafford, but back in their communities as well.
“Chevrolet’s partnership with Manchester United is about using the passion for this sport to make a positive impact around the world and inspire football fans everywhere.”
Main image courtesy of Chevrolet, via YouTube, with thanks.
Inset image courtesy of Chevrolet, via YouTube, with thanks.
