How would you like to meet David Beckham, be coached by Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos, hang out with Thierry Henry or get to chat with Allessandro Nesta? This 19-year-old Thai footballer has. Anawin Jujeen was a force on the Thai team participating in the Pepsi Max World Challenge. The project saw 22 young footballers from 11 countries play, live, learn and compete for six weeks at some of the world’s leading football clubs, with a superstar player visiting every week. With help from Anawin, the Thai team won second place in the program.

How long have you been playing football?
I started when I was very young, about 10 years old. I adopted it seriously when I went to a sport school in Angthong. There, we learned fewer subjects than at an ordinary school and trained about 4-5 hours overall throughout the day.

Do you feel gifted?
I guess so, but I add to the gift with my effort.

What are you doing right now?
I just got back from the Pepsi Max World Challenge in February and I’m studying at RBAC while also playing at a professional level for Krung Thai Football Club.

Have you won any of the weekly challenges?
We won a two-on-two game in the fifth week. I came in as the fittest in the fitness test on the fourth week but we didn’t win as a team.

How was Beckham?
Just like on TV, but he’s real nice.

Which superstar impressed you the most?
Ronaldinho for sure. He’s my idol. He wasn’t exactly teaching but we gained a lot from observing him, like how to conduct yourself. Rather than telling us football techniques, he showed us.

What is the best thing you gained from the project?
Experience, for one thing. I learned new football techniques, skills and an idea of how to live abroad.

Which team will you support in the World Cup?
Personally I like England, but to support a team in the World Cup I need to study their games.

Who do you think will win?
I guess Brazil.

Do you think Thailand will ever play in the World Cup?
They might have to wait for my generation. [Laughs]

Do you have any plans for your future?
I think I’ll earn a living with football forever. I hardly study...It’s all I know, really.