Honduras called up striker Jerry Palacios to its World Cup team on Tuesday to replace injured Torino star Julio Cesar de Leon. Jerry joins brothersWilson and Johnny, making Honduras the first team in World Cup history with three brothers in its squad.
Striker Jerry plays for Chinese club HangzhouGreentown, Johnny, 24, for Olimpia in Honduras and Wilson, 26, for England’s Tottenham Hotspur. Honduras called in Jerry under FIFA’s rule allowing for the replacement of an injured player up to 24hours before a team’s opening match.
Three years ago the family’s fourth brother, Edwin, was kidnapped and although a $150,000 ransom was paid he was found dead.
“Everything I do in soccer is for Edwin. He is watching over me,” Jerry upon his arrival in South Africa.