Futbolista

A classmates-to-friends-to-lovers romance that's equal parts raunchy, heartfelt, queer, and Mexican-American, centered on college football (the REAL football)! Gabriel Pia knows who he is: a college goalkeeper, a future Liga MX or MLS star, and definitely straight. Hes starting his freshman year with a lot of eyes on him and even more potential, but hes got this. Nothing will have him straying off the path to greatness. That is, until his philosophy classmate Vale volunteers to tutor him. Vale, the same guy who Gabi, in a moment of history repeating itself, mightve kissed very brieflyand only oncejust to help him out at a party. Vale, the smart, supportive, compassionate new friend with beautiful brown eyes and a smile that keeps Gabi, for completely inexplicable reasons, constantly in a daydream. As a friendship blooms and the two spend more and more time together, Gabi finally begins to recognize something about himself: maybe hes not as straight as he thought he was. But a larger and darker realization lingers. Someone like Gabia brown, Mexican futbolista with dreams of playing for El Tricant also be bisexual. Hes seen the way his teammates and community react to queerness in their sport. It would be the exact type of straying off path that destroys his future. Or, maybe Gabi could be brave enough to embrace all those parts of himself and forge his own path, one that includes a boyfriend and the beautiful game. A sports romance for those who keep rewatching Bend It Like Beckham and rereading Red, White & Royal Blue and the incredible collection of queer socfootball romances out there, Futbolista follows the first semester of one guy's freshman year of college, navigating who he is, who hes allowed to be, and who he wants to be.