The dream is real

By Meg Kennedy

Young soccer superstar Mate Marinovic is headed to one of the most popular soccer cities in the world.

The 8-year-old Ballan resident will head to Spain for two-weeks next month, after he was one of 25 junior players from Australia picked to train with the Real Madrid soccer club.

Mum Marina Marinovic said Mate has been playing soccer since he was 4-years old, playing for the St Albans Saints Dinamo. He currently trains five-days a week.

“When he was little, he used to ask how many more sleeps until he can play soccer,” she said.

Mate will train at Real Madrid twice a day, as well as playing junior tournaments against other clubs.

He will also attend live Real Madrid LaLiga soccer matches, tour soccer stadiums, and train for five days in Barcelona.

“I really like the fun of playing soccer,” said Mate.

His favourite soccer player is Luka Modric, who also plays for Real Madrid.

Mate is a Grade 3 student at Ballan’s St Brigid’s PS.

To assist with Mate’s soccer journey, donations can be made on the GoFundMe page.