Australia football team captain Lucas Neill took time to encourage the next generation of Qatar players during his visit to Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence last week.
Neill with 1996-born athletes at Aspire Academy
Despite a busy schedule preparing for the final of the AFC Asian Cup, Neill wanted to visit the academy and offer words of encouragement, a spokesperson said.
“I started just like you. A young player dreaming of representing his country,” Neill told a group of 1996-born student-athletes at the Academy.
“It takes a lot of hard work to reach the top level but with the excellent opportunity you receive here at Aspire there is nothing stopping you,” he added.
The football star also took part in a coaching session with the young footballers and then answered questions from the boys.
The students presented Neill with an Aspire jersey, to show their appreciation.
The Australian captain also reiterated his belief that Qatar would host a successful World Cup in 2022.
“The Asian Cup has been well organised and the facilities have been excellent, so I am sure they will deliver an amazing World Cup in 2022,” said Neill.
Neill currently plays for Turkish club, Galatasaray, but has played in the English Premier League with Blackburn, West Ham and Everton.
