July 17, 2020
Player Insider: David Cordes
Lionel Messi once said “It took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success”. That quote really stood out to me because it shows that nothing is just given in life and everything is earned through years and years of hard work. I’m sure my friends and teammates will agree; it’s not always glamorous but we push ourselves and train hard at Barça Residency Academy so we can reach that next level and become an “overnight success”.
Constantly searching for the next level has been a regular theme in my life. I started playing recreational soccer at the age of two. At this level I was just having fun and being a kid. I transitioned to club level as I grew up. At this level I developed a deeper skill set, understanding, and passion for the game.
The next level I wanted to reach was to represent Arizona on its ODP team. The first two years I did not make the ODP A team. Disappointing, but my persistence paid off the third year as I made the ODP team. This taught me to never give up and how to use setbacks as motivation to work harder. After our Arizona ’03 team won the ODP West Conference championship I once again was looking for the next level. That’s when a friend of mine told me about Barça Academy and I instantly knew that was the move for me.
This fall will be my third year at Barça Academy and I am blessed to be playing on the U19 team as a commuter.
I am so thankful to have joined Barça Residency Academy. I can truly say it was the best decision of my life. The Academy has developed me so much as a player and as a person. There’s no better environment than this academy and the training from the coaching staff is priceless. I have aspirations to play pro and look up to those who have helped pave the way like Bryce Duke, Julian Araujo, and Mathew Hoppe. All who have had extreme success coming straight out of Barça Residency Academy.
