When Alfonso Soriano turns on the first pitch of a game and puts it in the left-field seats, a conversation ensues about whether the swing-at-everything hitter should even be given a chance to break Rickey Henderson’s leadoff homerun record in the first place.

But in proper football (or soccer as we call it here), when a guy scores from mid-field on the first ball booted in the game, it becomes must-see YT (YouTube, that is).

And why not? Not too many feats in any sport can top one one thousand, two one thousand, nylon.

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor tells the story of the first time he walked, which wasn’t until age 4. His mother had searched all over Africa looking for a miracle for her son, and it finally came in the form of a football.

Says Adebayor of the effect the story has had on his life:

“Everything I do in life I put in the hands of God, my creator,” says Adebayor.

“He gave me the chance to be where I am today and He’s the one that can take it all away from me. So at the team hotel, I pray before sleeping and I pray again in the morning. There is nothing more important for me than God.”

(story by Richard Bright in the UK Telegraph)

(h/t: PFB Member Matt Ralph)