The Story of Miguel Terceros, the "Kid from the Villa" Who Inspires a Nation

 FIFA conducted an interview with the Santos and Bolivia national team player ahead of their match against Colombia. He spoke about his beginnings in football and the challenge of getting Bolivia back to the World Cup.

Miguel Terceros, the young Bolivian midfielder, has begun to make his mark on international football. In a recent interview with FIFA, Terceros shared his unique journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the brightest prospects for the national team.

Trained at Brazil’s Santos, the same club that produced legends like Pelé and Neymar, Miguel is determined to lead Bolivia to new heights in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

From a very young age, Miguel showed his passion for football. “I started when I was five or six, playing on my neighborhood field,” he recalled. His father, who saw him play, became his first scout and encouraged him to pursue his dream.

"His father, acting as a scout, gave the first push to Terceros’ football adventure. Close to home, at the Tahuichi Academy, he saw his life change completely with the 'Bolivia 2022' project, which formed teams of young players from the country for international tours with the aim of developing them and, who knows, helping them one day reach the national team," reads a fragment of the interview.

At the age of 14, Miguel had the opportunity to travel the world with his teammates, facing renowned clubs in countries like Portugal, Spain, and Brazil. His outstanding performance in a match against Santos earned him an invitation to trial with the club. “Everything went well, and today, at 20, I’m still there,” he proudly stated.

Despite his time at Santos, Miguel admits that every time he walks through the historic walls of Vila Belmiro, he feels a mix of excitement and awe. “Santos has always been one of my favorite teams because of Neymar,” he revealed. His admiration for the Brazilian player fuels his motivation to continue growing and learning in this competitive environment.

In the Bolivian national team, Terceros has begun to shine. During the last phase of the qualifiers, he scored two crucial goals that contributed to victories over Venezuela and Chile. “The two goals were very important for me and the team, but the first one was special because you never forget it, especially at home,” Miguel expressed, who also took the opportunity to reunite with his family during those moments.

The goal he scored against Chile was not only significant for him; it also broke a historic taboo, allowing Bolivia to win an away match in the qualifiers for the first time in 31 years. “We know our team is strong at home, but our mentality is always to win,” he affirmed with determination.

With Bolivia in a direct qualification spot for the World Cup, Terceros and his teammates are determined to keep fighting. “Every day we tell ourselves we have to train and give our best because it’s a goal we have, and we firmly believe in it,” Miguel assured.

The next test for the team will be a match against Argentina on October 15. With renewed confidence after their recent victories and emerging talent like Terceros, Bolivia hopes to take another step toward their World Cup dream. The hope is alive, and Miguel is a key part of this new chapter in Bolivian football history.