The first time I saw Brazil play was back in 2002. It was summer, and my dad was hooked on the TV, following every single game of World Cup 2002. I started watching with him, and before I knew it, I became a fan of the Brazilian national team and the magnificent maestro Kaka. The rest, as they say, is history.

The Brazilian national team came to Toronto to play Chile in a FIFA certified friendly. It was a very short trip. They arrived the evening before, and they left the night of the game. They only stayed one night. I wasn’t even planning to attend because the tickets were so expensive – even more expensive than actual World Cup 2014 tickets! – but the day before the game, I realized that I didn’t take this chance now, I may never see them play again. At least never in Toronto – hell, when I was a kid, I never imagined I would even be able to see them play in my home city of Toronto! – and probably not at least until my 30s. So I took this chance, bought a $62 ticket for the nosebleed sections and off I went.

Life is about taking the opportunities as they present themselves to you after all. If not now, then when?