The view of the SOS Village in Comitán, Mexico

Football Is Not Only for Boys

Football fever is not only for boys, but also girls enthusiastically join in the fun. This is the case of Esme, from the SOS Children's Village Huehuetoca, Mexico.

Hello! My name is Esme. I am eleven years-old, and I live at the SOS Children's Village Huehuetoca, in Mexico State.

Definitely, my favourite sport is football. When I was younger, I believed football was only for boys, but I didn't care, and I've always played it. I play it during my free time at the village and also at school.

My mother has always told me that I can achieve anything I wanted, provided that I am enthusiastic about it and work hard enough, so I really wanted to play. She has always supported me and my brothers and sisters in everything we do. She has told us that sports, any sport, are good for us, but I definitely stick to football.

What I like the best about football is that it is a sport that is played in teams, so we can learn about team work and sharing things with others.

A few weeks ago they told us that FIFA is supporting SOS Children's Villages. At that moment I didn't know what FIFA was, but they explained to me that it is the most important organization related to football worldwide.

When I learned about FIFA, I was very glad to know that my favourite sport is helping build a new SOS Children's Village in Mexico.

They also told us that famous footballers might visit the village very soon, among them Mónica González, a woman who is the captain of the Mexican Female National Football Team. I am so excited to meet her! When she comes, I will ask her all she knows about football, as well as how to dominate the ball. I think that all this demonstrates that football is not only for boys; after all, it is a sport that we can all play if we want.

I don't know if I will ever become a professional football player, but if I do, I would like to be part of our National Team to represent my country in the best sport in the world: FOOTBALL!