Twitter

Parkland Hero Anthony Borges Honored By FC Barcelona in Spain

What to Know

  • Anthony Borges, who is credited with saving 20 lives during the Parkland school shooting, met his favorite soccer team in Spain.
  • He traveled with his family to Spain to watch FC Barcelona take on France Lyon, a "dream come true" for the 16-year-old.

Thirteen months after 16-year-old Anthony Borges saved dozens of lives during the Parkland school shooting, the former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student was honored by his favorite soccer team: Futbol Club Barcelona.

Borges traveled to Spain with his family to watch FC Barcelona take on France's Olympique Lyonnais. Not only did he witness his favorite team emerge victorious (the final score was 5-1), but he also toured the team’s Camp Nou stadium.

“The game was perfect. It was the best,” Borges said in a video posted on FC Barcelona’s official Twitter page. “It was very exciting. It was my first time. It’s a dream come true.”

Borges, who aspires to be a professional soccer player, was shot five times while shielding students from flying bullets. He survived, but was left with severe injuries that left his body heavily scarred. He has undergone 13 surgeries since the mass shooting.

Borges is credited with saving 20 lives in the shooting that killed 17 people. He stayed in the hospital for months after the tragedy and was unable to walk for a while.

Despite his injuries, Borges is still working toward his dream of being a professional soccer player. He is walking again and has even returned to the soccer field.

"I have faith and I have the dream of being a professional player and I know I can achieve it one day," he said in an interview.

During the training session Thursday, Borges was gifted a jersey with his name on the back and met some star players. Video shows his family members tearing up as Borges tours the stadium.

“I’m a big Barca fan, but I never imagined I would have the chance to be here,” he said.

Contact Us