KARACHI
\nWhen Haris Zeb steps onto the pitch at the FIFA Club World Cup this month, he will make history as the first footballer of Pakistani origin to compete in a FIFA Club World Cup event.
\nFor the 24-year-old Auckland City winger, this milestone represents more than personal achievement \u2014 it\u2019s a triumph over cultural expectations, career-threatening injuries, and the underdog status of Pakistani football.In an exclusive interview with Geo News, Zeb spoke about his football journey \u2014 marked by five foot injuries \u2014 his future targets and his availability for the Pakistan football team.
\nBorn in New Zealand to Pakistani immigrant parents, Zeb grew up in a cramped Christchurch home shared by three families. Football became his escape, though his path was far from smooth. \u201cAt first, my family said I was wasting time with football,\u201d Zeb recalls. \u201cIn our Pakistani community, they expect you to become a doctor or lawyer.\u201d
\nGrowing up in New Zealand to immigrant parents, Zeb faced early scepticism about pursuing the beautiful game professionally.Pakistani origin footballer Haris Zeb photographed during a match. \u2014 Reporter
\nPakistani origin footballer Haris Zeb photographed during a match. \u2014 Reporter Football\u2019s lack of popularity among the Pakistani community didn\u2019t deter him either. \u201cI played cricket like every Pakistani kid, but the joy wasn\u2019t the same,\u201d he said, adding: \u201cFootball was always my passion.\u201d
\nThings started to change when he began finding success at age 18. \u201cOnce I started achieving results, everyone began supporting me,\u201d he says. \u201cToday, my family is proud.\u201d That pride will reach new heights when he faces global powerhouses like Bayern Munich \u2014 a prospect that still seems surreal.
\n\u201cI used to play against these teams in video games with my brother. Now I\u2019ll face them in reality,\u201d the footballer remarked. Auckland City, may not enter as favourites against Bayern and others. But Zeb, who once played as these teams in video games, is undaunted. \u201cThis is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I\u2019ll give 100%\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
KARACHI When Haris Zeb steps onto the pitch at the FIFA Club World Cup this month, he will make history as the first footballer of Pakistani origin to compete in a FIFA Club World Cup event. For the 24-year-old Auckland City winger, this milestone represents more than personal achievement \u2014 it\u2019s a triumph over cultural […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":483961,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-483949","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n