Marco Bustos’ passport is getting quite the workout.

The 16-year old soccer standout from Winnipeg is part of the Under-17 team representing Canada this week at the 2012 Torneo della Nazioni, an eight-team international tournament in Trieste, Italy.

This is the Under-17 team’s first bout with international competition this year. The goal is to do well in this tournament, and in tournaments preceding it, to eventually qualify for the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

While busy training in preparation for this week’s games, Bustos said he’s honoured to represent Canada.

“I’m very excited to be here. It’s so beautiful here in Italy, but I know we have a job to do.”

The Canadian U-17 national squad is grouped in a four-team pool at the tournament with Italy, Slovenia and Israel. Mexico, Croatia, Finland, and Montenegro make up the other pool.

Travelling and soccer have gone hand in hand for the former FC Northwest midfielder from Garden City. In 2010, Liverpool FC invited him to England for a 10-day trial with its soccer academy. And since September 2011, Bustos has played midfield for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency program. Bustos’ Whitecaps play against other residency programs from teams in MLS, including the L.A. Galaxy and Chivas USA.

“The club has been great in getting me ready to play at this high international level,” said Bustos. “My soccer experience and my maturity has greatly grown throughout the eight months I’ve been in Vancouver.”

Bustos’ Whitecaps residency squad currently sits second in the USSDA’s U-16 Northwest division with a mark of 9-1. After the Nazioni tournament, Bustos will be back in his club’s fold for the last three games of the regular season. He’s notched four goals for the club this season for third most on the team.

Bustos said that while it’s been hard getting to this level, he’s enjoyed the ride.

“I just hope each day brings me closer to my dream, which is playing professional soccer overseas. It’s an accomplishment many people dream of.”

An even greater accomplishment, according to Bustos’ father, Alex, is how far his son has come with so many odds stacked against him. While the sport is popular in Winnipeg, the city has yet to prove a stepping stone for international soccer stardom.

“It’s very difficult coming out of Winnipeg to get to this kind of level,” said Alex. “You don’t see too many kids doing that. So he had to work very hard throughout the years. Marco’s always been very resilient and worked very hard.”