By Jurelle Mullings | Ballin’ By Da Beach
Michael Butler didn’t grow up chasing a soccer dream. In fact, for most of his childhood, his future seemed destined for baseball diamonds, not sandy pitches. But by 18, he had made the switch and hasn’t looked back since.
“I started playing soccer at 15 or 16 because my friends kept nagging me,” Butler recalled. “I had been playing baseball all my life, but beach soccer just felt different. More alive. More me.”
That moment of redirection marked the beginning of a journey that would test every fiber of his being — physically, mentally, and spiritually.
The Early Days: A Heavy Foot and a Broken Wrist
Michael’s first encounter with soccer wasn’t exactly magical. As a young boy with a powerful kick, he accidentally broke a girl’s wrist during a game. “I told my mom I didn’t want to play anymore,” he said. “I stuck with baseball after that.”
But in 2016, during his time at the Tottenham Hotspur Bahamas Academy, he pulled off a save that still lives in group chats and highlight reels. It was the first time he thought, “I might actually be decent at this.”
The People Who Believed
While his father was his first coach, it was Ricky Hall — his longtime baseball mentor — who became the steady hand during a turbulent period. “He made me believe I could do this,” Butler said. “He always reminded me to stay respectful and humble. I never forgot that.”
From the Local League to the National Stage
The Bahamas Football Association (BFA) played a defining role in Butler’s development. Through BFA-run beach leagues and national team opportunities, he got his first taste of international competition.
In 2019, he debuted with the Bahamas men’s beach soccer team. By 2021, he was starting in World Cup qualifiers. But not everything went smoothly. A devastating knee injury in 2018 cost him a starting spot with the national grass team just days before his debut. He was 19.
“I couldn’t walk for two months. That broke me. But I wasn’t done.”
Lessons Learned the Hard Way
“Being a national team captain is not about the armband,” Butler said. “It’s about separating your personal life from your professional responsibility — and that took me years to understand.”
He points to painful qualifiers in Mexico and Costa Rica as moments that taught him the value of preparation, accountability, and grit. “Commitment is everything,” he added. “We can’t just show up and hope. We have to train like we belong.”
The Big Break: Peru and the World Winners Cup
Now, Butler is heading to Peru to play professionally — a move made possible through connections built while playing abroad. “Diego Alcantara reached out after we won a tournament in Oceanside. He said, ‘We want you in Peru.’ Just like that.”
He’ll compete in Peru’s pro league and represent his club at the prestigious World Winners Cup in Italy this fall.
“It’s surreal. I’ve sacrificed a lot. Landscaping jobs, masonry — I did it all just to pay for trips, to get seen. Now, I’m here. I’m doing it.”
Why It Matters for The Bahamas
Butler’s rise isn’t just personal. It signals something bigger.
“I believe Bahamians are the best athletes in the world — raw talent, no question. But we struggle with consistency. We train for two days and expect 10-day results. We have to raise the standard — from the Federation to the player.”
His story proves that opportunity follows discipline.
Advice to the Next Generation
“Every hardship is an opportunity to level up,” Butler says. “Don’t run from it. Embrace it. Write it down. Be honest with yourself. If you’re not putting in the work, don’t expect the results.”
He journals every night, mapping out his next day by the hour. Training. Coaching. Studying. Walking an hour to the stadium — all part of the grind. “You have more time than you think,” he said. “Budget it like money.”
Staying Mentally Strong
Butler is open about his spiritual struggles. “There was a time I was angry with God. I didn’t understand why things weren’t lining up for me. But I kept coming back. Because peace didn’t come from what I had , it came from who was walking with me.”
Faith, he says, is what keeps him grounded when things don’t go as planned.
Looking Ahead: Building Something That Lasts
Long term, Butler wants to create a multi-sport academy in The Bahamas. “MaxD was for baseball. I want something for everyone — baseball, swimming, football. A place where kids don’t have to leave home to grow.”
He envisions an affordable, high-quality training center that turns potential into performance — for Bahamians, by Bahamians.
His journey has already inspired many. But if you ask him, he’s just getting started.
“I’m playing the long game,” he said. “And I’m not playing it alone.”
For more information contact:
BFA Secretariat
Office – 322 4343
Email – Connect@bahamasfa.net
Website: www.bahamasfa.net
About The Bahamas Football Association
The Bahamas Football Association (BFA) is the official governing body for the sport of Association football in The Bahamas, established in 1967 and headquartered in New Providence. As a full member of FIFA since 1968, the BFA oversees Bahamian football at every level, from international competitions to professional and amateur leagues. In addition to managing the Men’s and Women’s National teams, the BFA also oversees youth organizations, the BFA Senior League, and the national beach soccer teams, demonstrating a commitment to promoting and advancing football in The Bahamas at all levels of play.
