An American woman decided to quit her job in order to embark on the ultimate football gap year.
Jessica Malone, who has a dog named after Zinedine Zidane, handed in her two-week notice at an environmental agency firm back in April and had plans to jet out to the women's World Cup in France.
What followed was a mammoth tour of footballing culture across the globe. 13 countries, three continents, 44 different grounds, and a total of 60 different games inside six months.
With no home, she ended up staying in youth hostels while she visited England, Spain, France, Italy and Hungary in Europe, as well as taking in the scenery at the South America and Central America.
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Malone documented the whole trip on her Instagram account.
Stadiums like Wembley, Anfield, Old Trafford, St James' Park, San Siro, the Stadio Olimpico, Johan Cruyff Arena, the Maracana and the Camp Nou were all ticked off the list.
"It was unexpected. I had actually been living at a job site for six months with all my belongings in storage, Malone told BBC Sport.
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"I didn't have a place to live so when I quit I hadn't put all my travel plans together but just knew I had to leave and figure it out later.
"I thought about the number one thing I wanted to do and that was seeing Lionel Messi play. I had certain stadiums and teams in mind that I thought, if I don't see them play during this time in my life, when will I do it?
"Because I'm unemployed, I had time to do full research on this stuff. I love daytime kick-offs but in Europe they were often later.
"I try to be careful. I don't wear anything flashy and I don't really drink when I go to games by myself."
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Jessica was then able to fulfil the primary purpose of the venture in April when she saw five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi in the flesh at the Nou Camp. He didn't disappoint.
Against Leganes, Messi came on as a substitute to score a late winner and guide Barcelona to a second consecutive La Liga title, before he bagged two against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final days later.
"Watching Messi play was incredible," she explained.
"Everything goes through him. I have watched so many football games but to actually see him play was magical."
You could argue that Jessica saved the best till last as she here final game saw her attend the Copa Libertadores semi-final second leg River Plate and Boca Juniors at the iconic 'La Bombonera'.
She explained: "It's a game I never thought I'd get near to going to! It's crazy that the dates and timings worked out well.
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"I started job searching again in October and it's time to go back to work."
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