Goal! the dream begins Robert Rigby

1)Goal! is a book about a young boy growing up on the streets of Los Angeles. Santiago loves to play soccer. When a British scout spots him playing in the park he gets offered a trial with one of England’s top Premiership clubs. Santiago leaves behind his unwealthy family and flies halfway around the world to show his talent.

2) The character I found interesting was Santiago. Santiago interests me as a character because he is very good at football and when he gets offered a chance to trial in England I could not imagine anything better. I feel I can relate to Santiago because he plays football and so do I. playing in the streets of LA Santiago’s dream is to become a professional footballer but due to the poverty in Barrio and the club, the chances of Santiago going somewhere is low. Just like me living in Wanaka there are not many chances to get scouted so when there is the chance you have to play well. becoming a professional is my dream and if there is the slightest chance to go somewhere big I will take it just like what Santiago did. although it is such a great opportunity, the decision to leave your family and go to a country you have never been before

3) messages I took from this text where that when you get a slight chance to become a professional footballer you must take it. from living in a place with little chance any chance is a good one. When Santiago gets offered to travel to England for a trial at one of the tops clubs he must make the decision to stay and help out his family or leave and take a shot. the chance to get scouted and go overseas to England to experience a whole new level of football is my dream and so is Santiago’s. although some people don’t understand how great it really is it can be the start of your career. If you never give up and keep working hard and playing well eventually the opportunity will come. From being a footballer myself, wanting to get scouted and being asked to have a trial at a big club anywhere in the world would be an amazing opportunity. I also took some life messages from this book. santiago faced many obstacles but it never stopped him from achieving his dream. To me, it means I feel like I can go somewhere and follow my dream of becoming a professional footballer if I really put my mind to it no matter what gets in the way of stopping me.

4) challenges Santiago had to deal with were leaving his family and saving up money for the trip. Since Santiago and his family are very poor they could not get enough money at first for the trip. santiago saves money in an old shoe in his room. Santiago’s dad finds the money stash and uses it to buy a new truck for work and Santiago believes his dream is over. In need of money, his supportive grandmother sells her jewelry in order to buy a plane ticket to England for Santiago. This shows his family had to sacrifice valuable belongings so Santiago could go to England. During his time at his trials, it was hard for him as he was not used to the English style of football. santiago has a hard time fitting into the style as he continues to play poorly. Santiago does not give up and he pushes through and soon gets offered a contract with the club joining the reserves then progressing his way to the first team. adapting to the new country was hard for Santiago because it was such a different place compared to his home. ”Do I need an ID or anything” is a quote from Santiago when he goes into a bar in England. This shows how the change from LA to England is so different for him and having to adapt to a new lifestyle he has never been in before makes it tough for Santiago

5) The title of the text ‘Goal! The Dream Begins’ is appropriate because it titles how a young boy from the poor areas in LA has a dream to come professional footballer and one day it all begins.

6) I recommend this story because it has a great storyline and shows how anyone can achieve their dreams if they never give up. I recommend this book to mostly sporty people because it is such an influential book inspiring young people like me to chase their dreams. the book also has times where the main character faces obstacles they must get past in order to continue on and when something gets in your way it should not stop you. this book to me explained challenges in life and how you can always make your dream come true and this is why I highly recommend this book.