Promising young soccer star gives up everything after death of his sons to help those in need
Our hearts broke that day, and we never truly recovered from our grief. My boys succumbed to their illnesses between July and September of that same year. From that moment forward, I decided to give up soccer and dedicate myself wholeheartedly to a new cause with an unwavering commitment.
- 10 months ago
June 18, 2023
After his two young sons died, Omar "Pelusa" Gonzalez turned to God and dedicated his life to helping those less fortunate through his initiative All Boys Solidario. | Photo courtesy of Omar Pelusa Gonzalez
MERCEDES, Argentina — On my first day with the All Boys Athletic Club in Argentina, I stood outside the entrance in the vibrant Paterna neighborhood. To calm my nerves, I stared up at the cloudless sky. As I timidly approached the door with my bags, I noticed another player waiting near the entrance. The stress evaporated as we exchanged a smile.
Something about his face felt so familiar. Before I could inquire, he asked where I was from. Half mesmerized, I replied, “From Mercedes,” and his face lit up. “Me too,” he exclaimed. “But I left when I was a young man, and my memories are sparse.” He described the town square, Mrs. Tota’s store, and the block where he lived. “That was my block,” I thought, but before I could utter a word, he beat me to it.
“You know what I remember? The kids from the block, and how we played a little ball. We even pushed a broken tricycle with missing pedals.” I gazed at him, and he paused, his eyes moist with tears. I told him, “That was me.” We stared at each other in disbelief and embraced. Right then, I realized I was standing with renowned Argentine soccer player Daniel Defeliche.
My soccer career took off, and eventually I moved up to the Argentina Juniors, but soon I would face a grave challenge in my personal life. Two of my four children became seriously ill. I sat in the hospital listening to the doctors share a harsh diagnosis. My sons had two years to live. I left the hospital, went home, and told my wife.
After the death of my sons, All Boys Solidario gave me purpose
Our hearts broke that day, and we never truly recovered from our grief. My boys succumbed to their illnesses between July and September of that same year. From that moment forward, I decided to give up soccer and dedicate myself wholeheartedly to a new cause with an unwavering commitment.
By then, I played for the Argentina Juniors, but once again, the leaders of the All Boys Athletic Club approached me. This time they offered me an opportunity to contribute to the club in a new way – by giving back to the community. I proposed the creation of a social department, a concept that was virtually unheard of at that time. Together with the club, I founded the All Boys Solidario initiative – an innovative project aimed at extending the club’s reach beyond the city and into the provinces. I knew right away; this amazing project afforded me an opportunity to gain a powerful purpose in my life after the loss of my sons.
Coming face to face with the most vulnerable people in our communities transformed me. As I began to extend a helping hand, I watched the people we served find solace through All Boys Solidario. It also took me back to my childhood. At a very young age, I experienced hunger. When my parents separated, we faced financial hardship and I often found myself in the care of different families. My mother, a resilient woman from the countryside, tended to the cows in the morning and made adobe bricks in the afternoon. When she finished work, she prepared a simple pot of mate cooked with bread – often our sole meal of the day. I knew the weight of loneliness, the sensation of walking barefoot, and the aching of hunger all too well.
We put shoes on their feet and food on the table
Today, my unwavering faith defines me. All Boys Solidario grew rapidly, and at first, the demand for our assistance felt overwhelming. Over the years, we took on numerous projects. More recently, we launched Let Your Shoes Keep Walking. We worked relentlessly to put a new pair of shoes on people who walked barefoot or wore tattered, old footwear. To bring comfort, hope, and tangible support to the most marginalized in our society feels incredible.
My workplace is no longer the soccer field. I go into places like Floresta – a town in Mercedes – and into 34 different border schools. Instead of a kicking a soccer ball, I provide food, clothing, hygiene products, sports equipment, sweets, and other essentials. The National Gendarmerie helps by handling the logistical aspects of operations, while a dedicated group of volunteers takes good to the elderly, who cannot venture outdoors.
Because of these experiences, I have been able to stand side-by-side with the people we serve at All Boys Solidario during their most difficult moments. I understood their pain and let them know, “You should never feel abandoned.” This approach has fostered a profound sense of unity between those in need, my dedicated team of volunteers, and me. For the past 30 years, I have given everything to those who have nothing.
