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How Ali became one of Germany's best blind soccer players

October 17, 2024

Ali Can Pektas is a dribbling maestro in blind soccer. One of the best blind soccer players in Germany, his dream is to take part in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

https://p.dw.com/p/4luVu

Born in 1993, Ali Can Pektas has a dream -- and a goal. The 2024 Paralympics in Paris. The soccer player, who was born blind, is one of the best blind players in Germany. Like soccer star Lionel Messi, he swerves around several opponents, then shoots the ball into the corner of the goal. How does he do it? Blind soccer is all about hearing. There are rattles in the ball, so Pektas can hear where it is, rolling across the pitch. Coaches call out to the players with information about where the goal is. Ali Can Pektas is such a good player he’s already won the German championship several times with his club SF BG Blista Marburg. He’s taken part in European championships and a world championship. In addition to his full-time job working at a bank, he trains six to ten times a week. Will the effort be worth it? Will Ali Can Pektas be there, on the field, with the German Blind Soccer National Team in Paris?

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