Juan Carlos Vargas, the Venezuelan who aspires to play in the US amputated soccer team

The Venezuelan immigrant Juan Carlos Vargas, who lost one leg in an accident in Peru, aspires to represent the national amputated soccer team of the United States. He also claims the Venezuelan team.

Old soccer player of the Venezuelan Second Division, Vargas arrived in New York two and a half years ago, after crossing the inhospitable plug of the Darién, between Colombia and Panama.

Before, his migratory journey brought him to Ecuador and Peru, where he lost a leg when he was hit by a truck.

41 years old, this often and fibrous man who exudes optimism, plays in the New York Metro team in Amputeados, where in addition to practicing the sport he loves, he has found a «family,» he tells AFP.

Vargas played in the selection of amputates from Peru and now hopes to repeat a deed with the American team to participate in next year’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

«They opened the doors of the national team, they want me to play. We are seeing how the theme of the papers is, ”says Vargas, in full turbulence for Donald Trump’s anti -immigration policy.

«Venezuela also wants me to play with them,» he says. I trust everything to «God.»

«Pa’lante»

After the winter break, last weekend he returned to train with his team in West Hempstead, in Long Island (east of the state of New York), after having worked all night at a fast food restaurant.

But he trains or not with his team, he continues to prepare with the remote selection in the gym, «at least two or three times a week.»

«This season we are coming from great events,» he says excited after an exhausting training that has gathered 17 players (several of the national team). Some travel distances of up to eight hours to train two hours, twice a month.

The next appointment is in April, in an exhibition match that will take place at the Gillette Stadium in Boston (Northeast). Then, the qualifiers for the World Cup.

According to him, amputated football is «evolving rapidly» and hopes «becoming a race for many young people.» Everyone plays with crutches.

«We want people to say, ‘Wow! They can (…), we too, ”he says.

They come from countries such as El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Ghana, Senegal, Ecuador, in addition to the United States; Some have lost a leg in vehicle accidents, others in an earthquake or cause of cancer.

«The only person who can understand someone who lives without a limb is another person who also lives without a limb,» says coach Jim Franks.

«So the fact that they can come and be with another person who understands them and do sports and exercise, makes them happy,» he tells AFP. «It is simply a different way of living your life.»

Many need a Spanish or French translator to understand the coach’s slogans. But everyone has found in amputated football «a family» and a passion.

But above all, behind each one, there is a history of personal improvement: «I think I no longer have a limit. I arrived here, I am alive and from there we go pa’lante, ”says the player who left his wife and his 8 -year -old daughter in Peru. AFP