https://www.pitara.com/tags/soccer-player/Recent content in Soccer Player on Pitara Kids NetworkHugoen-usSat, 13 Jun 2026 21:46:31 +0530https://www.pitara.com/non-fiction-for-kids/features-for-kids/the-first-dream-of-a-soccer-star/Sun, 22 Jul 2001 19:04:59 +0000https://www.pitara.com/non-fiction-for-kids/features-for-kids/the-first-dream-of-a-soccer-star/<p>In 1981, Invalappil Mani Vijayan was 12 years old. He sold cold drinks at a football stadium near his home in Thrissur, Kerala, to earn some money for his family. Today he is not only the captain of the Indian football team, he has started a coaching centre at the same football stadium. He wants to help youngsters like him who have dreams but very few ways of making them come true.</p> <p>The five feet ten inches tall Vijayan is one of the best goal scorers in Indian football today. He holds the record for the fastest goal in the world. He is the sole Indian player to have scored two international hat-tricks for India. The football player has been selected as India&rsquo;s best player of the year three times.</p>