Whether you're a player or a supporter, your childhood club always occupies a special place in your heart.
Sporting Kansas City's Benny Feilhaber is no different.
Down in Brazil as part of Jurgen Klinsmann's US national team camp, Feilhaber gave us a glimpse into what his boyhood team still means to him.
The SKC midfielder grew up in Brazil as a Botafogo supporter before moving to the USA at the age of six (watch this video which shows him in Botafogo colors). But 23 years later, he's still fond of the Fogão (he picked up a Botafogo jersey after a USA-Brazil match in 2010).
In a midweek interview with Sambafoot, he entertained the prospect of one day playing for the Brazilian side.
“I’m botofoguense. My dad’s botofoguense," he said. "I was born botofoguense and have always wanted the opportunity to play in Brazil. I haven’t had this chance yet but let’s see what happens in the future. I would seriously consider it.”
But it may not happen for a while. Feilhaber reportedly signed a 4-year contract with Sporting Kansas City after joining them ahead of the 2013 season.
The central midfielder had an up-and-down first season with SKC, but in the end he came through with several key plays on the road to the MLS Cup title. And his performances were good enough to catch the eye of Klinsmann, who called the 2010 World Cup veteran into January camp.
Botafogo recently kicked off their participation in their state championship, the Copa Carioca, and they'll do it without playmaker Clarence Seedorf, who left the side to take over the reins of Italian giants AC Milan.
