MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina - Reggae Boy Keammar Daley is viewing Jamaica’s friendly international against Argentina on Wednesday as an opportunity to be made the most of and a moment to treasure. Daley who turns 21 on February 18 is hoping to grow up professionally in this game which will be played at the Jose Maria Minella Stadium. “This means a lot to me and my career. Many things can happen out of this game. Football is my career and a good performance in this game could give me the professional break that I have been looking for and that I need at this time. It is just for me to grab the opportunity with both hands and use it as a stepping stone,” said the player who has represented Jamaica at the age group levels.

“It is not just an opportunity for me personally. It is also a big one for all of us who play locally (in Jamaica) to show what we can do. Normally we see them on television but it is not every day that we get to play a team such as Argentina so this is not an opportunity to be missed,” he added.

Like a number of young footballers Daley grew up idolizing Diego Maradona, a man many see as one of the greatest players ever. Putting on a show in front of him is also a major motivator for the former Jamaica College and Meadhaven star.

“Diego is a legend, he is my idol. At Meadhaven the club colours are those of Argentina so we grew with them that feeling of closeness to the Argentina team. I have pictures of Diego on my wall and I have watched a lot of tapes of him. He was really special as a player based on the things that he did. All his teammates looked up to him and when they were in difficult positions he delivered for them,” Daley explained.

“I always wanted to see him in person and right now I want to do so well that he will see my performance and be impressed with me,” he added.

While it was not at the same level and almost three years ago, Daley is using the 2007 Pan American games experience in Brazil as a major motivator for this game.

“The Pan Am Games gave me the exposure to have confidence in myself that I can do well at the international level,” Daley who finished as the tournament’s top scorer with four goals as he guided Jamaica to the final where they were beaten 1-2 by Ecuador.

On the way to the final they defeated Colombia, Argentina, Haiti and Mexico.