Some dreams feel out of reach for middle-class families, where every risk carries a cost. Meet Imad, a former footballer and coach from Pakistan who refused to let his circumstances decide his future. From kicking a ball around as a boy, to becoming the first Pakistani to graduate from Real Madrid, his journey was built one determined step at a time.
"Everyone dreams. But we middle-class boys have to make our dreams come true on our own."
My name is Imad. I am a former national football coach and player, and the first Pakistani to graduate from Real Madrid. But my life was never easy.
A promise I made as a child
Growing up, I watched my father struggle because of his physical limitations. That is when I promised myself I would achieve everything he could not.
The dream and the safe path
I started playing football as a boy, just as a hobby, and from then on I wanted to become a professional player. But for middle-class families, taking risks isn't easy, and football as a full-time career felt impossible. So I studied accounting and finance at NUST on a scholarship. Still, my love for football never left. I coached part-time and became a sports analyst.
Rewriting my own destiny
Money was tight in my student years, and I got around with inDrive. But I never stopped believing I could rewrite my own destiny. I applied to international football courses and, luckily, I was accepted. Funding was another obstacle, but in 2023 the biggest dream of my life came true. I graduated with a master’s degree from Real Madrid, with distinction.
His mission – help others
Now I’ve come back with a mission: to build a football ecosystem that gives children the fair opportunities I never had. I want every child who loves the game to get the chance to play. My story is about making the journey to someone else's dream a little easier.
