Soccer fanatic Eric Alvarenga had his eye on the ball: joining the professional FC Barcelona soccer team.

The 11th-grader’s love affair with the sport started early and grew as he won youth trophies, including best goalie, his family said. At age 3, he was kicking a mini soccer ball as his father and uncles kicked the real one. Over the years, he just wanted to play — in the Glen Cove Junior Soccer League, at the soccer academy, with his neighbors in their yard and more — kicking the ball in the dark if the adults didn’t stop him.

Alvarenga, born and raised in Glen Cove, wore a Barcelona jersey from his uncle but never fulfilled his professional dream. He died suddenly in Charlotte, North Carolina, where his family moved about three years ago for better opportunities. He was 18.

Read the full obituary here: https://www.nwsd.li/fee3f8. (Photo credit: Alvarenga family)
.
.
.
#longisland #liny #nassau #suffolk #nassaucounty #suffolkcounty #nyc #newyork #obit #obituary #soccer #soccerfan #linkinbio