The Honduran player discusses his amazing rise to fame, his country’s hopes for the World Cup, and his comeback to Major League Soccer with Nashville SC.
- Najar is back playing in MLS with Nashville SC
- The veteran right-back believes Honduras will qualify for World Cup 26
- He reflected on his incredible journey from his homeland to the USA
Andy Najar has always been involved with football, having grown up next to a field in the small Honduran town of Santa Cruz. When his parents abandoned him and his grandmother when he was nine years old to go work in the United States, it served as a release.
Five years later, in 2007, 14-year-old Najar went on a lengthy and dangerous walk to join them, walking through the deserts of Texas and Mexico for two days before finally meeting up with his parents in northern Virginia.
Amazingly, three years later, Najar made his Major League Soccer (MLS) professional debut with DC United, where he would then win Rookie of the Year. At the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the last time Los Catrachos made it to the world championship, Najar became the youngest player on the Honduran national team.
By then, he had already transferred to Anderlecht, a Belgian powerhouse, where he played for six seasons, winning three league titles and scoring a goal in the UEFA Champions League.
How has it been far since you returned to MLS?
Andy: God is to be praised for the chance to return to Major League Soccer, the league where my career began. I’m content. In Nashville, they have welcomed me with open arms, which is pleasant and encouraging for a player.
