Solomon Islands inspirational skipper Elliot Ragamo received an emotional farewell in his final playing minutes at the OFC Futsal Nations Cup 2023.
The 32-year-old bid farewell in front of a packed Bruce Arena in Auckland as the famous Kurukuru legend given tribute as Oceania’s most decorated futsal player.
It was a stage for Ragamo’s fitting ovation that goes back more than a decade ago when he begins representing nationally at the early age of 12 and onto an illustrious career.
“I want to firstly thank God for this journey. It’s always pure love and the passion for futsal and I will never regret my contribution to futsal.
“Today (yesterday), is a memorable day for me. I’m so proud to not only representing my country but representing the Oceania.
“I want to thank everyone. There are so many people I’ve crossed path with through futsal and whoever you have stand beside me from the beginning until now, I just want to say thank you,” Ragamo said fighting back tears.
It has been a flamboyant career donning the number three (3) jersey – a feat that also influenced the political sphere nationally for the country’s government to intervene with bilateral relationship forged in the making of a first-ever multi-purpose futsal stadium in Honiara.
“Now I can only look back and reflect on a beautiful story I have left for the next generation of futsal players and people in my country.
“Keep working hard. Whatever we do always must have that pure love and passion in anything you do in life and just keep going the sky is the limit and I’m very proud to see the growth of futsal in the Pacific and my country.
“My biggest achievement is to see a futsal stadium built back at home – we started with nothing and now its time to continue working hard and achieve great things in the future.
Ragamo puts up the shoes after a record of four (4) FIFA Futsal World Cups and six (6) OFC Futsal Nations Cup titles to his name, with a FIFA fastest goal record against Tuvalu in 2009.
Perhaps the only Pacific islander that played professional futsal in Spain and Brazil.
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