A youth soccer player from South Florida is being praised for consoling a player from a competing team after a heartbreaking loss thanks to viral video of the encounter.
The video from Only in Dade shows Lucas, a player for South Miami United, comforting his opponent who missed a goal.
Lucas is seen walking straight to the opponent, who is on the ground and covering his head, as Lucas’ team celebrates.
“I saw that he was crying, so I wanted to go help him out, see how he was doing,” Lucas said.
Lucas’ mother, Vanessa, said the tender moment took place during the final game of the Springs Holiday Cup 2025 tournament.
“On the video you see him, you see the other child missing, winning moments potentially, and our team running out to celebrate with each other and Lucas running to console him,” she said.
Lucas was asked why he went to console the opponent instead of celebrating with his teammates.
“I don’t know. I just thought he needed it,” he said.
As Lucas has been receiving praise for his actions on social media, his mom said he knows how it feels to be on the opposite end of winning.
“Very compassionate moments. He has felt that feeling before, receiving on opposite end,” she said. “So he knows that feeling. So I’m sure that he was in his emotions and went to console him.”