- 2024 Highlights
Personal Statement
Having travelled across europe from a young age I feel safe to say I have mastered what it takes to survive in sports. Wether being demanded rough and intense gameplay like in London, where I juggled playing at academy level for Chelsea FC and County level for Wandsworth, or more tactical and technical gameplay in Madrid at Atletico de Madrid. At 10 years old I was forced to make a radical change in my life however I slowly learned that it was eventually for the better. In London I had the unique experience of being able to explore soccer at an academy level, Chelsea FC, and at a county level, Wandsworth (a district/county in south-west London), which in itself came with differences. In general I was trained to play in an aggressive way with fast attacks and high intensity on and off the ball. The drastic move to Madrid ridded me of my career in a high level academy team and initially made me feel as if my athletic journey was spiralling downhill. Upon arrival in Madrid I had absolutely no idea where to start looking for opportunities at a high level in soccer until I found an opportunity to tryout for Club Atletico de Madrid. Egotistically, with my resume in mind, I initially thought that this would be a walk in the park however I soon learned I was completely wrong and that I would need to work very hard to adapt to a more tactical gameplay with quick passes and movement, to even have a chance at making a team like Atleti. A couple months after, when I finally received the news from Atletico I knew that it was the beginning of a bright chapter in my career as a player. Fast forward four years, I am grateful for My parents' decision and have not only learned a new language and a new style of soccer, but the skills I need to survive and master sports, anywhere I go.
To summarise myself as a player I would say I am a playmaker, goalscorer and a player who makes a difference. I like to compare myself to Kevin De Bruyne and Antoine Griezmann, technical and decisive players who work hard on and off the ball, create passes where no-one else can see. In general I am someone who works hard on and off the field, dragging myself into the gym even if I am exhausted, finishing assignments after a late training where my whole body is throbbing and with one goal in mind which is to improve.
Apart from team trainings and independent gym sessions, I have worked with private coaches to maximise my technicality on the ball, my footwork and speed. I feel this has helped refine my talent and improve my touch on the ball while majorly bettering my athleticism. My schedule in Madrid has been Monday: Gym then training, Tuesday: Gym, Wednesday: Gym then training, Thursday: Training, Friday: training, Saturday: Match and Sunday: Technification training.
After discovering the unique opportunity of being able to play high level sports while receiving the education and skills I need to survive in the outside world, I knew it was everything I had unconciously been searching for since a young age. The competitive environment and resources available at these institutions align perfectly with my ambitions both on and off the field. In the long term I aspire to continue thriving in both soccer and academics. Regarding soccer, I aim to compete at the professional level and on the academic front I envision pursuing a degree that equips me with the knowledge and skills I need beyond the field.
