Auckland City caused a shock by drawing with Boca Juniors and winning a €930,000 prize. |
Modern football, ultimately, is a world dominated by enormous numbers. Transfer deals worth hundreds of millions, weekly salaries in the hundreds of thousands of euros, and leagues where money is practically the only passport to competition.
But amidst that picture, there is still room for fairy tales – magical stories that can make the whole world stop and listen. Auckland City has just written such a chapter at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
In New Jersey, a semi-professional team from New Zealand achieved the seemingly impossible: a 1-1 draw against Boca Juniors – the giants of South American soccer. This result eliminated the Argentinian team and transformed these young players, who make a living from football as a sideline, into global heroes after just 90 minutes of courageous play.
But the magic wasn't just in the scoreline. This draw earned Auckland City a bonus of €930,000 ($1 million) – a sum far beyond imagination for a club where players typically earn around €93 per game and €84 per week. For the big clubs, this is a paltry sum. For Auckland City, it was a life-changing moment.
Auckland City went to America with the spirit of a true worker, returned with a multi-million dollar bonus, and above all, recognition from the whole world. |
No one illustrates this contrast better than Sebastian Ciganda, the team's reserve goalkeeper. “I cleaned the pool and hot tub. I took time off to go to America, otherwise I would have been fired. I wasn't paid for my absence, but I'm happy that the bonus money will be divided equally among the team,” he shared. The story of a true worker – also a warrior on the field – moved the entire football world to tears.
Auckland City's only goal was scored by Christian Gray, a 27-year-old physical education teacher. From a corner kick in the 52nd minute, Gray rose high to head the ball into the net against Boca Juniors, then ran off to celebrate with tears in his eyes. He teaches at Mount Roskill School and participates in the ACFC in the Community program – proof that there are still players who play football for passion and for the community, not just for fame.
The disparity was unbelievable. While Auckland FC – their city rivals, playing in the A-League – paid salaries of around €65,000 a year, Auckland City was just a regional team, playing in the semi-professional league on the North Island. And Boca Juniors? A South American powerhouse, carrying the pressure to win, a star-studded squad, and a history brimming with glory. Yet they still couldn't defeat a team that made a living from a side hustle, with hearts full of pride.
This achievement was not just a shock for Boca Juniors. It was a triumph for original football – where ambition, honesty, and love for the game remain just as valuable. Auckland City went to America with the spirit of craftsmen, returned with a multi-million dollar bonus, and above all, recognition from the whole world.
They proved that sometimes, all it takes is one chance, one moment – even pool cleaners can rewrite football history. And in a world where everything can be bought, Auckland City reminds us that some things only happen when you fight with all your heart.
Source: https://znews.vn/auckland-city-doi-doi-post1563703.html
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