I have always enjoyed playing soccer. I would try and round up a group of friends and have games going before I would practice for my other sports, and after I would still find some time to play a quick skirmish with a few teammates. I brought a soccer ball to school many times, and would stand in a circle with others and just practice juggling all my free time in high school.

My passion grew with each time I played, and all the games I would attend for my school team. Finally, I left home for a short period of time, and went to live in Mexico.

I was immediately immersed and awed by the how much the culture adored soccer. I quickly grew to love it even more, and dedicated all my extra time when I wasn’t working to playing what they called futbol in the streets.  The young children seemed to play better than I could! I became a fanatic at learning how to do all the tricks that they could do, and trying to play as well as them.

AVID Player 2011 Presented by Pele-Sports

Through time, I participated in a small adult league with other fellow coworkers. We were not nearly as good as some of the other teams, but we dedicated our energy and passion to help us be driven and have success. We found spare time to play quick games when there wasn’t work, and we would always stop to learn something new from all the barefooted children that ran around the streets in Mexico.

One weekend, we decided to give back to the small community that had given us so much of their soccer knowledge. Putting together all our time and talents, we organized, funded, and participated in a small cup that we made up for all the children around the town. We had quite a bi turn out, and were able to put together quite an event. We reffed the games, and watched all the young kids play hard, with the adults cheering them all on.

After, adults gave us all a jersey with the first letter of our titles, and our last names printed on the back. We graciously accepted, and everyone told us they were forever indebted for the games that we had shared. We knew that they had given so much to us, and we could only pay back a small amount of the energy and passion they had shown us for the game.

Always after, I participated in the neighborhood games, but there are no cheering crowds, no referees screaming fouls, or trophies for the winning team. There is only you, a small group of friends, a field, and a shared passion that drives you to do something together, and unites you out on the field of soccer. Always will we be driven by our passion to play our next greatest game, wherever we are.

Iker Casillas Receives the Golden Glove

Herzogenaurach, Germany (December 14, 2010) – Today, adidas Group players Diego Forlán, Thomas Müller and Iker Casillas were presented with their adidas Golden Awards from the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ during an event at adidas Group headquarters in Germany. The event marked the end of a successful FIFA World Cup™ campaign for both the players and the adidas Group.

Iker Casillas, captain of the winning federation, Spain, received the adidas Golden Glove Award, saying “It gives me huge satisfaction to receive the adidas Golden Glove Award and it is the perfect way to round off an unbelievable 2010 season. I hope that the success will continue in 2011″.

The adidas Golden Ball, Boot and Glove Awards, which are awarded to the best player, Diego Forlán, the highest goal scorer, Thomas Müller, and best goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, were presented to the players during a media and employee event by adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer and FIFA Executive Committee member Franz Beckenbauer.

Diego Forlan receives the Golden Ball

“The adidas Golden Awards are very prestigious awards recognizing outstanding talent on the world’s greatest football stage. I am honoured to be able to present them to the players,” commented former Germany international and FIFA Executive Committee Member Franz Beckenbauer.

The adidas Golden Ball Award, which is awarded to the best player of the tournament, has been won by many of the world’s best players including Pele (1970), Johan Cruijff (1974), Diego Maradona (1986) and Zinedine Zidane (2006). “There are many great players to have won the adidas Golden Ball Award and it is a great privilege to receive this award and be part of this select group of players,” commented Diego Forlán.

Thomas Müller was awarded with the adidas Golden Boot Award for his five goals and three assists and follows in the footsteps of German team mate Miroslav Klose who won the award in 2006. “Winning the adidas Golden Boot is a great honor for me and something I didn’t expect going into the World Cup. I hope to be able to continue scoring goals for my club and country in 2011.”

Thomas Muller receives the Golden Boot

2010 has been the most successful year in the history of the adidas Group having produced record sales in the football category as a highlight. Contributing to the success, the adidas Group delivered the highest scoring boot of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, the F50 adiZero, the winning federation, Spain, and the best player, best goalkeeper and highest goal scorer of the tournament.

“Today’s adidas Golden Awards presentation with Iker Casillas, Diego Forlán and Thomas Müller, underlines the adidas Group’s dominance of football and highlights once again our position as a clear winner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” said adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer.

Awards:

Golden Ball award (best player): Diego Forlán of Uruguay

Golden Boot award (highest goal scorer): Thomas Müller of Germany

Golden Glove Awards (best goalkeeper): Iker Casillas of Spain

 ###

Over at our sister publication, the AVID Soccer Equipment Review (ASER), the first summer shoot-out has been published.  This year, they compared a complete player kit including the jersey, shorts, socks, track suit and bag.  Diadora came to the table with true Italian style and top flight quality.  Sarson was no slouch either.  They brought functional quality and solid value to the game.

The first category for comparison was functionality.  Sarson pulled ahead with a better breathing uniform and a backpack instead of a game bag.  However, the design details of the Diadora warm-ups were far superior to the Sarson bits.  This showed experience and attention to detail that only comes from playing in the gear.

The quality, fit and finish measures all went to Diadora.  At nearly twice the price, this isn't surprising.  Price was not part of the comparison, so the value of the Sarson kit was not factored into the ratings.

Finally, the packages were judged on style and desirability.  Again, Diadora won hands down.  The Sarson uniform earned points, but Diadora was the complete package.

For more details, visit the AVID Soccer Equipment Review and check out all of the gear.