A Mexican Fighter
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Iker Meza is a tenacious defensive midfielder who forged his path at Marcet and now aspires to shine in the United States.
Iker Meza is the living embodiment of the grit, discipline, and sacrifice required for footballing success. As a defensive midfielder or center-back, he has molded himself into a solid player, thanks to the qualities he has developed at our Academy and the Mexican clubs Pumas UNAM and Toluca. His on-field role models are Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos, while off the pitch he finds inspiration in his parents and Jesus Christ.
Iker’s journey to Marcet began when the Academy held a Soccer Camp in Mexico, offering scholarships for the summer course in Barcelona. “I had the opportunity to go on a scholarship with a couple of teammates, and truthfully, I grew a lot as a person and player. That’s why I decided to return to Marcet in 2021 to improve even further,” he recalls.
At Marcet, Iker evolved as a footballer and on a human level. “I’m sure that without my experiences there, I wouldn’t be the player or the person I am today. It was tough to separate from my family and country, but I felt the warmth of all the staff and my teammates, with whom I formed great friendships.“
Iker highlights unforgettable memories such as the demanding daily routine, facing prestigious teams during the Girona stage, and the importance Marcet places on academics. “Marcet is ideal for kids who want to take a step towards becoming a professional footballer or playing more serious and demanding football,” he affirms.
After his time at Marcet, Iker was clear about his goal: to join the youth ranks of a professional club. This led him to Pumas UNAM, one of Mexico’s giants, where he spent almost 7 months on trial before finally being accepted into the under-16 team. “It was a reward for all the effort I had put into that goal, but God gifted it to me. Playing for such a big club demands constant sacrifice, pressure, discipline, and grit. Pumas and Marcet are similar in that they gave me tools to become a smarter and more effective player.“
After his experience in Mexico, Iker would face a new challenge in his career: earning a spot with Weston FC in the United States and competing in the MLS Next League. Thanks to the football skills that top teams like Marcet instilled in him, he hoped to earn a university scholarship.
“Pumas y Marcet se asemejan pues ambos me han dado herramientas para ser un jugador más inteligente y efectivo”
“I aim to face this challenge in Florida as best as possible. I aspire to make a place for myself on a prestigious team like Weston FC and compete in the MLS Next League to earn a good university scholarship thanks to the football that great teams like Marcet have instilled in me,” he shares with determination.