Sebastian Berhalter, a midfielder for the U.S. Men’s National Team, received a powerful message from his father, former U.S. World Cup player and coach Gregg Berhalter, before the World Cup.
Gregg’s letter reflected on Sebastian’s lifelong connection to soccer, the work behind his World Cup journey, and the rare bond of a father and son who both know what it means to represent the United States on the sport’s biggest stage.
“What I admire most about you is that you’ve never taken anything for granted,” the letter said. “You understood early on that nothing would be handed to you.”
Gregg also told Sebastian that soccer would not define his pride in him. “I’m proud of you because of who you are, not because of what you accomplished,” the letter said.
Sebastian called his father his best friend and said he hopes to one day be “half the father” Gregg has been to him.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
