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🚨🎙️ Marc Bernal on why he decided to retire his parents from working after becoming a professional footballer. 🎙️Reporter: “You’ve spoken about how much your parents mean to you, and now that you’re earning good money, you’ve decided they no longer have to work. What made you take that decision?” 🗣️Bernal: “Honestly, I didn’t grow up in a very wealthy family, so I know the value of every penny I earn. I know what my parents sacrificed to give me the opportunity to become the footballer I am today, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay them completely. Before I was lucky enough to get into La Masia, I remember telling my dad that my biggest dream was to become a professional footballer and play for Barcelona. But my dad was someone who believed strongly in education. He wanted me to concentrate on school, and football wasn’t something he was ready to take a big risk on. As a young boy who refused to give up on his dream, I started thinking of different ways to convince him. Then I went to my mum because I knew that if I could get her on my side, she might be able to convince my dad. I told her, ‘Mum, please, I really want to become a footballer. Going to school doesn’t mean I have to abandon my dream. I can do both. I just need you to help me talk to Dad.’ Luckily, she understood me and agreed to speak to him. I was so happy, but then she told me something that I will never forget. She said, ‘Marc, even if your dad agrees, where are we going to get the money for everything you need? You don’t have boots, we don’t even have the money to register you with a club, and our house rent is almost due. If we use what we have to get you everything you need, where are we going to find the money to pay the rent?’ I remember crying myself to sleep that night. I was just a little boy who wanted to play football, but I could already see how much my dream was costing my family. The following day, my parents called me and told me they had finally reached a decision. They were willing to take the risk, even if it meant putting our house rent at risk, but I had to promise them that I would make the sacrifice worth it. You can’t imagine how happy I was. From that moment, I carried their words with me everywhere. When I finally got the opportunity to join La Masia, they never stopped supporting me. They believed in me even when things were difficult, and they never allowed me to feel alone. So, when I started earning my own money, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted my parents to stop working and enjoy the life they sacrificed so much to give me. They took risks they probably shouldn’t have taken just to make their son’s dream come true. Now that I have the opportunity to take care of them, why would I hesitate? I don’t see it as doing something special. I see it as my responsibility. They gave me everything when I had nothing, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure they never have to worry about those things again.”