The next stop for three-year-old Nevada Pierre could be Spain, an unexpected turn after a dispute at his Florida youth soccer game brought police to the field. Videos of the young player around older children have attracted national attention, and now Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports is reportedly stepping in to help him develop his talent overseas.
According to The Breakfast Club's Loren LoRosa, Roc Nation Sports has committed to arranging a trip to Spain in December, where Nevada will have opportunities to further his soccer development. The agency, which represents international athletes including Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior, reportedly plans to use its overseas connections to help the young player.
The opportunity is particularly meaningful for Nevada's parents, Martasia Griffin and Don Pierre, who had already discussed relocating to Spain to support their son's development. Roc Nation Sports also reportedly publicly encouraged the youngster on Instagram, writing, "Keep shining Nevada, we support you!" However, details about the reported trip, including any participating academies, haven't been announced.
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Nevada Pierre's Viral Soccer Dispute Draws National Attention
The excitement surrounding Nevada follows a contentious Oct. 24 game in Winter Park, Florida. The toddler was competing against children as old as five when disagreements over his playing time escalated. His parents maintain that league officials were upset because their son was outperforming the other children, while an organizer accused Nevada of pushing players and described his parents as disruptive.
Body-camera footage released by Winter Park police showed the organizer acknowledging Nevada's advanced abilities while explaining why he wanted the family removed from the program. Griffin disputed his account, insisting that her son was being unfairly singled out. "They're mad at my son because he actually plays soccer," she told responding officers.
According to ABC News, the incident was classified as a civil dispute. No arrests were made, and police said the family wasn't forcibly removed from the park. The i9 Sports organization subsequently refunded their registration fee and launched a review of the incident.
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Nevada's story has since attracted support well beyond social media. Former U.S. men's national team player Eddie Johnson has offered to train him at his EJE7 Soccer Academy in Orlando. Johnson revealed that the family previously approached him when Nevada was two, but he'd recommended youth league competition because the boy was too young for his program.
The family also set up a GoFundMe that has raised more than $42,000 for Nevada's continued training and related expenses. Speaking with WESH 2, Don Pierre said he hoped the controversy wouldn't overshadow his son's abilities. "I want people to see his talent. Not because the police was called on him," he said.
