06/12/2026
From the Clubhouse | World Cup Edition
The World Cup always takes me back.
I can still remember sitting in front of the TV during the 1994 World Cup that was held here in the US. I was just a kid, but it felt like the biggest thing in the world. The colors, the crowds, the players, and the idea that people from every corner of the globe were all watching the same game.
The years that followed only pulled me in deeper. Zidane in 1998. Ronaldinho in 2002. The Italians in 2006 and the unreal Spanish team of 2010.
Looking back, those tournaments didn't just give me memories. They gave me heroes and dreams. They made me want to go outside, play, and pretend to be them.
And that's why I've always believed that one of the best things a young player can do is simply watch the game.
Not because watching soccer magically makes you better.
But because falling in love with the game changes everything.
When kids become interested in something, they naturally spend more time around it. They watch it, talk about it, imitate it. They think about it when they're not doing it. Before long, they're learning without even realizing it.
As this World Cup gets underway, I hope you'll find time to watch a few matches with your kids. Pick a team. Follow a player. Enjoy the goals, the drama, and the stories that make this tournament special.
Because long after the trophy is lifted, what might remain is something much more valuable... A young player who fell in love with the game.
⚽🌎
