MARLEY Baker-Burton was certainly at home on the big stage as the Braintree Futsal Club youngster formed part of the Brazilian side that were runners-up at the World Futsal Championships in Florida.

The Braintree ace had been asked to play for Brazilian Futsal team Sports & CIA, who are the current Benjamin (under-tens) World Futsal Cup champions, at the championships in Orlando in Florida.

And he didn't let his South American team-mates down as he helped them to runners-up spot in the final of the gold competition where they were only denied top spot by a 3-1 defeat by Los Angeles side Toque Futsal.

Baker-Burton was given his chance after of an eye-catching performance for Braintree when they faced Sports & CIA at a tournament in Barcelona last year and the Brazilian club's coach asked him if he'd like to play for them in Florida.

He made an immediate impact in Sports & CIA's opening group game as he scored three goals and assisted in two more in an 11-0 win against Spirit United.

That was followed by an even more impressive 14-0 victory when the Braintree youngster scored twice and had three assists in a game against Sign Now.

Those results catapulted the Brazilian side into the quarter-finals where they beat Georgia Elite 6-0 to set up a semi-final against Juventus Futsal.

Sports & CIA drew 4-4 with the Italian side, but progressed into the final by winning 4-3 on penalties and top step of the podium was only denied by the 3-1 defeat by Torque Futsal in the final.

Braintree Futsal Club coach Franklin Burton said: "Marley had an excellent tournament.

"His team-mates, supporters and coaches really took him in as one of their own and he had an experience that we will never forget; he has made some Brazilian friends for life."

Another memorable moment for the Braintree youngster came as he got to meet Brazil's legendary World Cup winner Roberto Carlos while he was at the tournament.

Baker-Burton has now been invited to represent Sports & CIA in December at the World Futsal Cup in Barcelona with their older age group.