MIXING with the world's finest football stars sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

But fresh from competing in Channel 4's Pepsi Max World Challenge and playing with the likes of Ronaldinho and David Beckham, Tim Lees is off on another unbelievable journey.

The semi-professional from Harvey Lane in Golborne narrowly missed out on glory in the Pepsi competition.

But now Budweiser, the official beer of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, has chosen the 20-year-old to represent England in their Bud Cup 2006 tournament in Germany.

Tim said: "We did well to finish fourth, but I was gutted we were just outside the top three.

"I didn't think I would ever get another opportunity like that, but now I'm flying out to Germany for the World Cup."

Ex-England international Jamie Redknapp, Budweiser's World Cup ambassador, helped pick eight amateur footballers to play in the six-a-side tournament at the Cologne Stadium on June 28.

The incredible trip includes flights, four nights' first class accommodation and tickets to watch two World Cup second stage matches.

Tim was in the same team as Wayne Rooney at Everton as a teenager.

But injuries on the field and a devastating car crash left the then-Bolton Wanderers hopeful thinking his career was over.

Now he hopes to emulate the English side of 2002, who won the first Bud Cup competition in Japan. He said: "Since getting released by Bolton I have wanted to prove I can play - hopefully I'll get a chance now."