The nation's largest Spanish-language soccer magazine has named two Garland teenagers two of the best players in the country.
South Garland High School seniors Adrian Barajas and Adrian Salazar are competing in Futbol Mundial's Best of the Best competition.
The two Adrians have more in common than just their names. Barajas and Salazar both have been bringing their A game to the soccer field since they were 4 years old. And both are team leaders on South Garland's soccer team.
"I just love the sport," Barajas said. "I love it, every single thing about it."
"Just hard work and don't let anything stop you -- if there's a challenge in your way, overcome it," Salazar said.
Barajas and Salazar are now both competing in Futbol Mundial's Best of the Best competition, which honors the best high school and collegiate soccer players in the country. Both players will be featured in this month's issue.
"It's mind-blowing," Salazar said. "It's mind-blowing to be one step closer to my dream that I've wanted to achieve since I was 4 years old."
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"We wanted to find players with that same level of dedication for the sport, and what we all share is the passion for futbol, soccer," said Felix Sencion, founder and publisher of Futbol Mundial.
The school district said it hopes having two players in the Best of the Best competition will put the sport on the map.
"I think it helps the kids and it helps brings a little light to the fact that our sport is really growing, especially in a school where we have a high Hispanic population," coach Sean Falloure said.
Barajas and Salazar said they are reaching a goal that they hope will inspire younger players to keep playing.
"I think it's the best sport in the world; it really is," Barajas said.
Jamie Ibarra, who plays for Southern Methodist University, is also one of the 13 players competing in the Futbol Mundial's Best of the Best.
