Mexican Romero, goalkeeper and model son

"I like to think they are proud. I have always loved that my parents feel proud of me," said Abraham Romero, goalkeeper of Mexico, who will play quarterfinals at FIFA U-17 World Cup.

According to the tournament's official website, Romero's parents follow his performance not from Mexico but from California, the United States, to where they migrated to give their children a better life.

"My dad works in the construction sector since he arrived and my mother is her assistant," said Romero, who is also very proud of his parents and the way they faced migration.

"I was not born when they migrated, but I am sure it was difficult to learn a new language, a new culture, to be a minority," added Romero with great maturity.

Romero dreamt to defend the Mexican jersey. He followed all the games of Mexico during the U-17 World Cup in 2011 and also in 2013. "I began to be fan of Mexico since I was eight. At ten I told my mom: 'At 17, I will be able to play a World Cup with Mexico!,' she laughed but she never imagined I would reach this level," he said.

Romero was part of the U.S. U-12 and U-16 national teams. But then he decided to resign to the U.S. team. Then he was called to be part of Mexico, the country of his parents. He is the only player who does not live in Mexico but he has never felt as an alien.

"I do not feel different. I grew up in a home where Mexican culture was very present, I was taught to respect the culture of both countries. I feel like any Mexican does. My team partners have never rejected me, they are very open," added Romero, according to the website.

Nevertheless, Romero felt he had to prove he had a good soccer level. "I needed to prove I had a good level. I play in Los Angeles Galaxy but U-17 category is not so good in the U.S. as it is in Mexico. I wanted to prove I was not here as a coincidence, but that I had worked hard to be here," Romero said.

Following Brazilian Juliano, Romero has the best numbers with 85.7 percent of stopped shots.

"I am very self-critical with myself and my performance. But my main critic is my dad. He is tough, but I thank him because he pushes me to grow as a player and as a person," said the Mexican goalkeeper. Endi