Alessandro Gaudian '25 Recruiting Profile

Whatever you call it, football or soccer, it's life.  

There was never a point in my life where I did not enjoy the beautiful game of football. I've had a ball glued to my feet ever since I can remember. I've started to play club football in Turkey with the galatasaray football school, at the age of 5 years old. I still remember my first ever training session, and it felt like home. Until this day I still get butterflies stepping onto the pitch. It's where I belong. 

As a child of a diplomat, I've moved and played football around the world, that's also the main reason why I call it football not soccer. Watching and experiencing the Turkish passion and love for the sport made me become who I am now. I was lucky enough to observe the life of a professional football player, due to my best friend, whom I've  known now for 14 years. His father has been a big impact in my life when it comes to playing football. I've seen the good and the bad side of being a professional football player. I know how much discipline and sacrifice it takes to succeed and to stay on top of the game. I've lived in the past 17 years of my life in 4 different countries,USA(New York 4 years) Turkey(Istanbul 4 years) ,Brazil( Porto Alegre 5 years) ,Germany( Berlin 3 years)  and the USA again(Maryland 2 years). So I learned and adapted to 4 different ways of playing. Over time this started to become my strength in playing. I am a composed, technical, if needed aggressive,dedicated and fast player. I'm very coachable, I learn quickly and I'm always open to learning new things. I am a very vocal player on and off the pitch, I love the feeling of motivating my teammates, and helping them out in tough situations. I also love coaching little kids, and igniting their love for the sport of football. I've been coaching in summer camps for 4 years now, in Germany, and I coached my little brother's winter u9 team. I love to see them grow as players and as little athletes. 

I've always wanted to play in college or university and the dream is to play professionally. Academically school was and is always a challenge for me due to my dyscalculia, dyslexia, and ADHD. I don't see that as a weakness but a strength. I've learned to work harder and to get up when I get knocked down. I'm trying not to get defined by it and strive for good grades. Playing varsity soccer in highschool plays a big role in my academic success, so I believe playing for a college or university team is a great way to keep playing the game I truly love and maybe being a step closer to my dream, but definitely closer to a successful life. 

Happiness has 9 letters in it, mine has 8.