El Gato is the world's best soccer goalkeeper, recently victorious in the World Cup. Through an interview, he recounts his childhood growing up in a remote South American logging village. Initially a gangly, unathletic boy mocked as "The Stork," he abandons soccer at age thirteen and begins exploring the dense forest near his home. There, his discovery of a hidden soccer field alters the course of his life, pulling him away from his predetermined future as a logger.

The Keeper is a mysterious, ethereal figure whom El Gato discovers in a hidden clearing. Dressed in an old-fashioned green soccer sweater and heavy cotton shorts, he exhibits an unnatural, ghost-like quality, appearing similar to static on a television screen. He acts as a firm, uncompromising teacher, determined to train El Gato in the psychological and physical art of goalkeeping while using the surrounding wildlife to impart lessons.

Paul Faustino is a highly respected South American sports journalist. He is passionate about soccer and eager to uncover the factual history behind El Gato's rise to greatness. Throughout the interview, he remains alternately fascinated and skeptical of the incredible, magical tale unfolding before him, constantly weighing the story's believability against his own journalistic credibility.

Gato's Father is a hardworking logger whose primary focus is providing for his family in their small village. He spends his days cutting down trees to clear space, believing that humans must control nature to survive. He fully expects his son to follow in his footsteps and work for the local logging company, representing the predetermined life El Gato is desperate to escape.

Uncle Feliciano is Nana's wise brother who stands out from the other men in the village due to his deep respect for nature. Unlike the local loggers who seek to conquer the environment, he understands that the village only exists because the forest allows it. He encourages El Gato to trust the woods rather than fear them.

Gato's Mother is a caring parent who holds out hope that her son might pursue a different path than heavy manual labor. When she mistakenly believes he is conducting biological research in the woods, she enthusiastically buys him journals and pencils, hoping he will eventually go to college.

Nana is El Gato's grandmother, who lives with the family and frequently shares traditional superstitions. She tells eerie stories about the "Waiting Dead," describing spirits stuck on earth searching for what they missed in life, in order to discourage the children from wandering off the beaten path.

Señor Hellman is the large, bald supervisor of the logging operation where Gato's father works. He runs the camp efficiently and also acts as the referee for the workers' highly competitive weekly soccer matches.

Estevan is an experienced, hardened mechanic at the logging camp who takes El Gato under his wing. Despite the rough environment and the physical toll of his dangerous job, he shows quiet moments of reflection when staring out at the barren spaces where the trees used to be.

Known as "The Thief," El Ladron is an older European soccer player brought in specifically to challenge El Gato during a local camp match. He plays a clean, highly strategic game, testing the young goalie's focus, patience, and emotional control rather than relying on brute force.

Flora da Silva is a wealthy representative whose husband runs the Deportivo San Juan sports academy. She travels to the remote, dusty logging camp with a lucrative contract offer, looking to secure El Gato's talents for her husband's soccer club.

Milton Acuna is a retired, highly respected soccer forward who now works as the director of soccer for Deportivo San Juan. He serves as an authoritative evaluator of talent and a calming, professional presence when discussing contracts with hesitant families.

A former childhood acquaintance of El Gato who has grown deeply aggressive while working manual labor. Living up to his nickname, "The Butcher," he plays a violent, hostile style of soccer aimed at intimidating and physically hurting opponents on the field.