Liam chosen for Cristiano Ronaldo

THE Smith family in Noordgesig near Soweto is in desperate need of your help.

The family is seeking assistance in raising R50 000 for their son, who has been chosen for the CR7 tournament (Cristiano Ronaldo Youth tournament).

Soccer player Liam Smith (12) has been selected to take part in the Cristiano Ronaldo Youth Tournament 2024 from 26 to 30 June 2024.

The tournament is set to take place in Madeira, Portugal. Liam started his soccer journey in 2018 when he was six years old.

He told Daily Sun he's excited and grateful for this opportunity since it will be his first time going overseas.

"I am grateful for the support I'm receiving from everyone. My father taught me how to play soccer. I started watching soccer, which helped strengthen my love for the sport," he said.

According to his mum Delphine Smith, the team will be leaving on 18 June for their 10-day tournament.

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"We don't have the funds to send him over there. We need assistance from the public and sponsorships. We must raise about R50 000 for his flights and accommodation," she said.

Delphine said she was excited when she was informed that her son was chosen to be among those taking part in the tournament.

"He has trained very hard. He has been playing for his team ‘Super Sport Rangers' for six months now. We are very happy he will represent his team in Portugal.

Delphine said that together with her husband, they realised when he was still a child they had been raising a soccer star.

"His father would put on soccer on the TV, and this baby would be glued to the screen," she said.

"When we would go to the shops, he'd always demand a soccer ball. I remember I would shout at him because he played soccer, slept soccer and dreamt soccer, until I understood that this was his passion," she said.

She said that's when they placed him in an academy to start training, and he has now been playing for the past six years.