Diego Sanchez
Monterrey C.F
Formerly of OJB FC and Barcelona Residency Academy
Diego, congratulations on earning your first pro contract! How does it feel ?
Truly an unreal feeling. I still have yet to find the words to describe the feeling. Being able to say I have accomplished the goal, I have dreamed about ever since I was a little kid. It's something I can not quite get across my mind yet. Being a first generation mexican,coming from a small town, and having the odds stacked against my family and I from being from a very small town truly make this just that much more special and a feeling that will be with me for the rest of my life.
Coming from a small town in Chino Valley Arizona, what was your biggest challenge to pursue your dream to become a professional soccer player?
I believe my biggest challenge coming from a humble beginning like chino valley is that we are obviously not surrounded by opportunities like down in the valley or anywhere for that matter. Its easy to make yourself a victim of that and say “It wasn’t my destiny” or “I was never presented with anything” It was pivotal in my journey that I understood that everything was in my control, nobody was going to do anything for me. Relentlessly chasing the dream that I had so very much desired despite the situation I had been in where soccer wasn’t a booming sport, was definitely a challenge that gave me the hardest time in my journey.
How did OJB FC and people involved in the club Influenced your game to take steps towards your dream?
The staff at OJB and Glenn were a huge help force in all of this. They opened a style, and world of futbol to me that you only experience in the big leagues. The IQ, and mental side of the game wasn’t something you saw being taught at young ages, especially in a small town like Chino Valley, Prescott, and Prescott Valley. It became such an advantage to me to know this style and really adapt to this style. I thrived when going off into high-level environments. They allowed me and showed me the difference between playing soccer and really having fun with the game. It has truly made me realize how much OJB's blueprint is to help the youth and hopefully take the term soccer in a whole new direction and really change it for the better. It is a style that, to this day, is still home to some of the most attractive futbol I have played.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to a kid coming from a small town like yourself who loves soccer and wants to become a professional soccer player, or take their game to the next level?
My best piece of advice is don’t stop having fun. I would say Enjoy the process, a lot of kids forget that the process is playing futbol! When you combine those two you start to realize that your confidence grows, your desires grow, and your competitive nature grows. You have to remember, futbol is the beautiful game. It is beautiful because of the emotions it makes us feel, because of the way it distracts us from everything for 90 minutes. Enjoy it, have fun, play with a smile on your face, of course compete at the highest level you can, but never forget that it is only futbol. It is something that put the biggest smile on your face when you were a toddler, it is something that has been your dream ever since you were a toddler. Also, dont give up. It doesn’t matter what your situation is, or who tells you its not possible. It will always be up to what you choose to believe in.Believe me, with the correct desire, with the correct work rate and with the correct mindset, It is possible! Remember, enjoy the process, and most importantly always remember to have fun because I promise you, it will be some of the best, most memorable moments on the pitch that you will have.