http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club...ospects:-eight-year-old-heads-abroad_aid28264 Really quite absurd to go to Croatia at age 8, particularly when the Galaxy's academy is just 5 hours south of them, but to each their own. The article also includes this gem of a quote from his father. “Our background is Persian, so we are genetically predisposed to have our children become doctors,” Rooz said.
Also said that the directors told the dad his son has a chance to become world class and the dad convinced the mom of said plan.
Wow what a shot below the belt. Is this true for a 8 yr old. If he has the commitment to send his 8 yr old to Dinamo wouldn't he also be able to find an top training environment in the US with a top team too? Barcelona USA, Fullerton Rangers, Manhattan FC all top notch pee wee training. “If I left him here in the States, it would be a disservice,” he said. “It comes down to what [European Academies] do in development.”
In dinamo last days come one 8-year boy from Marocco and say Marocco Messi. http://www.vecernji.hr/sport/vijesti/video-marokanski-messi-8-stigao-dinamo-clanak-476365 http://sportske.jutarnji.hr/-maroka...za-dinamo-i-odusevio-celnike-modrih-/1067339/ Dinamo cooporated with clubs and soccer acedemys in USA and becose players coming in Croatia.
Think it's great. The more kids we get training in Europe the better we will be in a few years. Sort of reminds me of when the Koreans took to getting trained by Dutch coaches, really helped them move up.
Well, they are from Persia! Of course, considering that the family's predilection toward medicine, they should double the kid's load and let him do some brain surgeries at the same time. You just never know what his backup plan might entail. Signed, Adam "Cheesy" Meltz.
Yeah, it will be great for the kid, except his whole family is moving to Croatia, so by the time he is "World Class" he may be a Croatian citizen playing for Croatia.
Question - we are trying to get our 16 year old to train in Europe, but he only has US citizenship. We are taking him to a private company trial (they would then send leads to pro clubs), and are trying to line up a club trial as well. Would we need a visa, or since it is a trial with no guaranteed outcome, can we just travel as tourists and get a visa for him if everything works out? It seems like all of these "wunderkind" stories are very simple, parents line it up and do it. But I hear stories about having to get a visa etc.
My son and I were at the camp and nothing could be further from the truth, Firstly, the Dinamo coaches were fluent in English and were very professional . They explained to all the players and parents that they do not even look at kids before they reach 14 years of age . Mani did partcipate with 11- 12 year olds but they treated him more like a little brother than they would competition . Have you seen a 12 year old lately ? They must have been 6-8 inches taller and 30-40 pounds heavier. There isnt a chance a kid his size could play with those boys. It makes a for a nice story but not a realistic one and Im suprised this article would be endorsed by Dinamo . They surely dont need the publicity as their Academy as recognized as top 3 in Europe. Sounds like a gimmick to me.
You're hating on him because your boy didn't make it. I'm happy to see an American take initiative and if more kids get exposure around the world then it's bound to show benefits here. Only gimmick is your spin. It said his trial coaches in Croatia didn't speak English, not at the camp in the States. Here's the Dinamo Zagreb USA site confirming the story: "Q: What age was the youngest player at a camp or at invited for formal trial in Zagreb? A: A 7-year old was assessed during the morning of day 2 of a week long camp and he was allowed to participate all week because of his level of focus, his talent and his competitive attitude. By the end of the camp week, he was voted the “Best Player of the Camp” by Dinamo staff and offered a formal trial in Zagreb." here's the link: dinamozagrebacademyusa.com/faq/ He's got talent...good luck to them!
FWIW: USAprospects@USAprospects '04 American Mani Eftekhari, who has trialed at Dinamo Zagreb & SC Feyenoord, is on an extended trial w/ Valenica CF pic.twitter.com/EyoCNDF8NY
Oakland residence? Seems a bit of a drive to go to Ballistic and pay through the nose for the privilege. It's changed alot since I was a kid, but the prices have always been sky-high, and I can't imagine the coaching's gotten any better.