The Soccer Tournament, commonly referred to as TST, is gearing up for its highly anticipated second year. Excitement is rising as the tournament organizers have already confirmed the participation of some high-profile players. Nani and Mario Balotelli, both renowned footballers, have committed to competing in this year's 7-on-7, winner-take-all contest, which boasts a staggering $1 million prize.
Nani, the former Manchester United winger and Portuguese international, expressed his interest in TST after his former teammate, Luis Boa Morte, participated in last year's inaugural tournament as a member of the West Ham legends team. Nani shared, 'He sent me a link and I was watching the game and I said, 'Oh, this is really a nice tournament, maybe we can join next time.' And now here we are, ready to participate.'
Teaming up with Balotelli, his current teammate at Turkish first-division side Adana Demirspor, Nani formed his own team called Nani FC. With 48 teams already confirmed for the event, which features a World Cup-style format and unique rules requiring games to end on a goal, the competition is expected to be intense.
Balotelli, the former Italy international, is known for his impressive career spanning across European powerhouses such as Manchester City, AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Liverpool. Nani shared his excitement about Balotelli's commitment, stating, 'He said he will be there. He likes these kind of games, 7 on 7. I told him about the tournament, I showed him some videos as well. He's excited.'
Nani is still in the process of finalizing his roster but plans to leverage his Portuguese connections. He aims to bring retired central defender Bruno Alves and former Benfica and Portugal midfielder Manuel Fernandez on board. While the star power of their lineup is undeniable, success in the tournament remains uncertain. Last year's champions, Newtown Pride FC, comprised primarily of professional indoor players, surprised everyone by clinching the title with a decisive goal from Kelvin Nunes.
Acknowledging that fame doesn't necessarily equate to victory, Nani emphasized the importance of physical preparedness and taking the competition seriously. He said, 'The most important part is the physically. If the players have quality and they have energy to perform during the competition, because -- I believe there is a lot of games. One after another. You need to rest.' While he doesn't anticipate his team to be excessively serious, he aims to showcase quality football that the fans and supporters can enjoy.
In addition to the men's tournament, TST has also introduced a separate women's tournament this year. Eight teams, including one led by former U.S. international Heather O'Reilly, will compete for their shot at the $1 million prize.
Enthusiasm is building as the tournament approaches, scheduled to take place from June 5 to 10 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. With Nani and Balotelli spearheading the competition, along with a range of talented and dedicated teams vying for glory, TST promises an unforgettable showcase of football skill and passion. Stay tuned as the action unfolds in this much-anticipated tournament!
