Miraash’s kick beyond borders: From a Casillas fan to playing on his team at the Kings League

“Hey! Can [you] get this across to as many people as possible?” My Instagram notification buzzed. It was a Maldivian friend in Barcelona, reaching out because a Maldivian footballer - Miraash Imthiyaz - needed votes on Twitch to advance to the next stage of something called the Kings League selections. If you don’t know what that is, you’re going to want to keep reading.

“Well, if it’s a Maldivian trying to make it internationally, we have to make this happen,” I thought, quickly sharing the post on my Instagram story.