Soccer Boy
Santiago “Santi” Cruz has never known a life beyond the dusty fields and narrow alleys of his small village in Mexico. His family works hard on their farm, barely making enough to get by.
But Santi has a dream that stretches far beyond the fields, he wants to play for the Mexican national soccer team.
With no proper cleats, no coach and no real team, he sharpens his skills by kicking around a makeshift ball in the dirt roads with his friends. His father sees soccer as a waste of time, pushing him to focus on farm work. But Santi refuses to let his dream die.
One day, a scout from a youth academy in Mexico City spots him playing in a local tournament. It’s his one shot, but leaving home means risking everything; his family’s support, his friendships and the only life he’s ever known. As he steps into a world of elite competition, where wealthy kids have every advantage, Santi must fight harder than ever.
Faced with corruption in youth soccer, brutal training and the weight of his family’s expectations, Santi’s journey is anything but easy.
But with heart, determination and the love of the game, he’s willing to sacrifice everything to wear the green jersey of El Tri or play for a big soccer club in Europe.
