Ambition and Sacrifice
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Puerto Rican goalkeeper Jean Luc Fontana Castellón, who attends the Granada youth academy and dreams of debuting in the top division, describes himself as a goalkeeper with “good footwork on both feet, effective communication” and highlights his ability to handle “many aerial situations.”
His soccer journey began at age 12 when he first visited Marcet. “They told me to stay, but my parents didn’t want me to be alone at such a young age,” he recalls. A year later, he returned, and the Marcet Foundation offered him to stay for an entire season. “My parents sacrificed to send me alone to Spain so I could pursue my goal,” he comments.
His time at Marcet was transformative. “I arrived as a child and learned a lot there. I spent my adolescence there; I improved tremendously as a player and matured,” he affirms. His most cherished memories are the trips and the Oviedo Cup with his teammates. “Many things I learned at Marcet helped me in youth soccer to become a professional player,” he acknowledges.
His talent did not go unnoticed. Before joining Granada FC, his agent, Milkhail Yunoshev, informed him of the interest from several professional teams. “When Granada came calling, I was happy and motivated since it’s a professional academy.” In his first year, he played 14 league games with the Juvenile DH, keeping a clean sheet in half of them. He even trained several times with the first team and is now with the reserves, fighting for more minutes.
At the international level, Fontana has represented Puerto Rico, first with the U-20 team and now with the senior national team in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. “Whenever I can wear my country’s colors, it will be a pride for me,” he declares.
Looking to the future, Fontana keeps his goals clear. “In the coming years, I set my goals daily on the soccer field and off it with the coach and nutritionist,” he explains. Like many others, his dream is to make his debut in the top divisions. With the support of his club, parents, and agency, he is convinced: “I’m sure I’ll achieve all my goals.”