THE Club World Cup star who scored a $1million goal is heading back to his day job as a PE teacher.
Christian Gray, 28, left his school behind to appear for part-time Auckland City in the United States alongside delivery drivers, forklift operators and a Coca-Cola salesman.
After scoring past Boca Juniors, he will return to life as a PE teacher back home[/caption]
But several members of the amateur squad missed out on playing against some of the world’s biggest clubs – because they did not have enough annual leave.
Gray was an unused sub in the 10-0 hammering by Bayern Munich then came off the bench in the 6-0 defeat to Benfica.
But he earned himself a starting spot in Auckland’s third and final group game against South American giants Boca Juniors, who had Edinson Cavani up front.
And with his side trailing 1-0 at half-time, Gray headed in from a corner to score a dramatic equaliser.
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Despite Boca’s 40 shots, Gray and Auckland held on for an unlikely but famous draw in Nashville, earning the New Zealanders $1m (£727,000) in Fifa prize money.
Now the centre-back must head back home and crack on with marking his students’ papers during the school holidays.
Player-of-the-match Gray said: “I’m a PE teacher.
“When I get home, I’ve got a few assignments that have piled up over the last month so that’s what I’ll be going back to and the school holidays thankfully.
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“I’m from a small town, a long way from here and a lot different to this environment. So it is somewhat of a dream so I’m a little bit lost for words.
“We’ll be going back to our day jobs, that’s the reality for us.”
But he will have some stories to tell his pupils when he returns to Auckland Grammar School from his Club World Cup American adventure, capped off in perfect style.
Gray added: “I don’t love the spotlight. I’ll leave that to the other boys, but, yes, a lot of emotions.
“It’s been a tough trip. We’ve had some tough results, but I’m just happy for the team and the boys. I think we deserve it.
“We’ve got a little bit of respect.”
Boca failed to advance to the knockout stages as Benfica topped Group C and will play Chelsea in the last 16.
Bayern had to settle for second and will take on Flamengo – with the winners facing Paris Saint-Germain or Inter Miami.
Gray made good contact from a corner to head in the equaliser[/caption]
