Northstander
Well-known member
- Oct 13, 2003
- 14,036
This boy is so un-Real!
WONDERKID Niall Mason has been snapped up by soccer giants Real Madrid — at the age of SEVEN.
Niall and his family are quitting Britain to live in the Spanish capital so he can join a Real Madrid football school dedicated to producing the David Beckhams of the future.
His delighted dad Russell said last night: “It’s every father’s dream come true - I keep having to pinch myself.
“What more could a boy of that age want? It’s a tremendous opportunity with the most famous club in the world, It hasn’t sunk in yet.”
Niall hit the big time when Russell was working in Madrid and learned Real ran a kids’ summer soccer camp.
He immediately signed the football-mad lad up for the two-week course.
But the club’s scouts were so impressed with Niall’s ball skills they moved him on to a special “technical camp” for gifted youngsters.
Niall, from Brighton, was the youngest by three years — and Real bosses had to bend their rules that limit entry to eight-year-olds and over.
At the end of the course he was rated sixth best overall.
But despite the praise 44-year-old Russell was stunned when coach Jose Lesme told him they wanted Niall for their training school.
Three days later they went along to the club’s famous Bernabau stadium for a medical and to sign a contract — following in the steps of English stars like Becks, Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate.
Excited Niall told last night how he has already met Becks at the club’s training ground — and got the England skipper to sign a photo of him in Real’s famous all-white strip.
Niall said: “Becks shook my hand and wished me well.
“But my favourite is the Brazilian Ronaldo because he has so much skill — I wouldn’t mind being like him one day!”
On October 1, Niall will begin eight months at the Escuela Deportivo de Futbol Federation Madrid.
By day he will take normal lessons at an English school in the capital.
Two nights a week he will be put through his paces by Real’s coaches, who will supply him with a kit, boots and training gear.
If he lives up to his promise he will eventually move on to Real’s full-time academy, which doubles as a school.
Niall, Russell, mum Mimosa, 35, and sister Maya, three, are packing their bags ready to move to a flat just a stone’s throw from the Bernabau.
At the weekend Niall played his last game for Hove Rivervale Under 10s — and signed-off with a hat-trick. Russell, a former non-league player himself, said: “I will be able to run my firm from Madrid while Niall trains.
“He’s a natural. At two months old I used to plonk him on the football pitch.
“Before he could walk, we used to lift him in our arms so he could boot a ball.
“He uses both feet and is pretty skilful — he can float a free kick like Beckham. And his ball control is fantastic.”
Russell added: “It will be fabulous if he makes it, but I just want him to be happy.”
Mum Mimosa said: “It is all a little overwhelming seeing my baby snapped up by Real Madrid, but you have to grab an opportunity like this.”
WONDERKID Niall Mason has been snapped up by soccer giants Real Madrid — at the age of SEVEN.
Niall and his family are quitting Britain to live in the Spanish capital so he can join a Real Madrid football school dedicated to producing the David Beckhams of the future.
His delighted dad Russell said last night: “It’s every father’s dream come true - I keep having to pinch myself.
“What more could a boy of that age want? It’s a tremendous opportunity with the most famous club in the world, It hasn’t sunk in yet.”
Niall hit the big time when Russell was working in Madrid and learned Real ran a kids’ summer soccer camp.
He immediately signed the football-mad lad up for the two-week course.
But the club’s scouts were so impressed with Niall’s ball skills they moved him on to a special “technical camp” for gifted youngsters.
Niall, from Brighton, was the youngest by three years — and Real bosses had to bend their rules that limit entry to eight-year-olds and over.
At the end of the course he was rated sixth best overall.
But despite the praise 44-year-old Russell was stunned when coach Jose Lesme told him they wanted Niall for their training school.
Three days later they went along to the club’s famous Bernabau stadium for a medical and to sign a contract — following in the steps of English stars like Becks, Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate.
Excited Niall told last night how he has already met Becks at the club’s training ground — and got the England skipper to sign a photo of him in Real’s famous all-white strip.
Niall said: “Becks shook my hand and wished me well.
“But my favourite is the Brazilian Ronaldo because he has so much skill — I wouldn’t mind being like him one day!”
On October 1, Niall will begin eight months at the Escuela Deportivo de Futbol Federation Madrid.
By day he will take normal lessons at an English school in the capital.
Two nights a week he will be put through his paces by Real’s coaches, who will supply him with a kit, boots and training gear.
If he lives up to his promise he will eventually move on to Real’s full-time academy, which doubles as a school.
Niall, Russell, mum Mimosa, 35, and sister Maya, three, are packing their bags ready to move to a flat just a stone’s throw from the Bernabau.
At the weekend Niall played his last game for Hove Rivervale Under 10s — and signed-off with a hat-trick. Russell, a former non-league player himself, said: “I will be able to run my firm from Madrid while Niall trains.
“He’s a natural. At two months old I used to plonk him on the football pitch.
“Before he could walk, we used to lift him in our arms so he could boot a ball.
“He uses both feet and is pretty skilful — he can float a free kick like Beckham. And his ball control is fantastic.”
Russell added: “It will be fabulous if he makes it, but I just want him to be happy.”
Mum Mimosa said: “It is all a little overwhelming seeing my baby snapped up by Real Madrid, but you have to grab an opportunity like this.”
