Nathan Negrete, a 9-year-old soccer enthusiast from Pico Rivera, had a memorable experience at the recent World Cup when he escorted the U.S. men's national team onto the field before their match against Paraguay. The game, held at SoFi Stadium, saw the U.S. secure a 4-1 victory in front of a crowd of 74,904 spectators. Negrete, who typically shies away from attention, shared in the excitement alongside midfielder Weston McKennie in a moment he describes as “the best day ever.”

Selected through a partnership involving Quaker, Common Goal, and FIFA, Negrete was among a select group of children and young adults chosen to walk out with the U.S. team prior to kickoff. Though the event took place nearly a month ago, the young striker recalls little of the match itself, overwhelmed instead by the atmosphere and the palpable energy inside the stadium. What lingered most vividly in his memory was a personal message from McKennie, which Negrete has chosen to keep private.

Nathan, who is a student at Rio Vista Elementary, is a fan of both the U.S. and Mexico national teams. Encouraged by his parents, Monica Ocampo and Jonathan Negrete, he began playing soccer at age four. Initially playing as a striker, Nathan gradually gravitated toward the role of goalkeeper, eventually committing to the position after showing a natural aptitude for blocking shots during practices.

For his family, the event was a deeply emotional milestone. Despite the city’s broader preparations for the World Cup—including local businesses displaying banners and widespread social media activity—Ocampo said she was unprepared for the impact of seeing her son step onto the pitch with the national team. The family hosted a watch party focused not on the match itself but on Nathan’s appearance, as televised coverage captured him alongside McKennie. Upon seeing himself on the stadium’s large videoboards, Nathan’s initial serious expression quickly gave way to a broad smile.

Ocampo recalled the overwhelming emotions she felt, including tears, as friends and family recognized Nathan on television and messaged her with congratulations. The young player earned the affectionate nickname “Famous Nathan” following the broadcast.

In the days after the event, Nathan found it difficult to fully comprehend the experience but soon expressed a renewed determination to pursue a professional soccer career. Reflecting on the moment during the car ride home, he told his mother, “I really want to be a professional soccer player now.”

Nathan’s aspiration is reminiscent of stories like that of former U.S. national team player Graham Zusi, who participated in the 1994 World Cup opening ceremony as a child and later achieved professional success. For the Negrete family, the experience is a lasting source of pride and inspiration, with Nathan frequently revisiting videos of the event as motivation.

“Hopefully one day he gets there, but wherever his life takes him, just for him to see that experience, it’s something he’s never going to forget,” Ocampo said. “Even now, sometimes we talk about him like I can’t believe he actually did that.”