Healthy Rivalry Drives Success

The promising goalkeeper Carlos Elías shares his journey through Marcet and arrival at the Mexican club Toluca, with big dreams ahead.

The Mexican Carlos Elías describes himself as “a complete goalkeeper.” He highlights his main strengths: reflexes and 1-on-1 situations, but he also recognizes areas for improvement. “I think I need to work more on my left foot. My professional role model is Yann Sommer, the Swiss goalkeeper because I greatly resemble him regarding skills and height.”

Carlos’s journey took him to Barcelona, where he decided to train at Marcet after participating in trials in Mexico. There, he was offered a scholarship to develop his talent. “I chose to train there because they conveyed a sense of professionalism, and I felt it was exactly what I needed. I take away many sporting and personal memories that will stay with me forever.”

Carlos’s journey at Marcet wasn’t without challenges, but his perseverance made all the difference. During his time in the program, he shared the field with other standout goalkeepers, such as Eder Aller, who plays for FC Barcelona’s second team, and Yehor Krapivin, from RCD Espanyol. “A goalkeeper’s life is not always about being the starter,” said Carlos Rivero, Marcet’s sporting director, reflecting on Carlos’s formative process. “Even though he wasn’t the starter that year, his perseverance helped him reach an excellent level”, Rivero added, emphasizing that internal competition at Marcet is a key driver of success.

After completing his time at Marcet, Carlos returned to Mexico, where he had invaluable training experience in Europe. He considers this a significant advantage in his country: “You can leave Marcet, but Marcet never leaves you. This shows when you mention you have European experience; it stands out here.” Upon his return, he participated in trials and, by January 2024, began playing in the third division for Córdoba FC’s affiliate team. By August, he had moved up to the club’s Liga Premier team, and in December, he was invited to a trial with Toluca.

The opportunity to join Toluca came through the strong relationship between Toluca’s scouts and his previous club. Carlos recalls the experience with pride: “I feel so proud. It’s a huge and prestigious institution in Mexico. It makes me so happy to represent a team like this.” Despite his young age, Carlos is now part of Toluca’s U-23 team, where he continues to work hard to achieve new milestones.

Looking to the future, Carlos has clear aspirations: “My goals are to have a successful career at Toluca and reach the National Team.” The journey hasn’t been easy, but his time at Marcet and his dedication have brought him closer to realizing his dreams.