MIKI’S STORY

I started playing soccer when I was 6 years old. At 7 my dad saw how much I enjoyed playing and bought me my first pair of soccer shoes. This was so big to me. My family did not have extra money to spend on soccer. We had just enough money to survive.

I wore those soccer shoes for two years. They were my only pair of shoes - I had to wear them for both school and soccer. After two years they were so tight it was painful. I asked my dad if he could buy me another pair, but we didn’t have money for new soccer shoes. After practice my feet would bleed so much covering my socks and shoes. My coach noticed and bought me a new pair of soccer shoes. I was crying when he gave them to me. I can’t tell you how happy I was. I knew I was set for the next two years!

When I was 10 years old and playing for one of the biggest soccer clubs in Europe, Red Star Belgrade, my dad talked to me about playing soccer. He said “Miki if you want to continue to play soccer you have to make the National Team. I don’t have money to pay for your soccer.”

Making the National Team was a lot of pressure. Every Saturday over 1000 kids would show up to try out for the National Team. Your spot on the team was never secure. Every week they made cuts. Each kid had to work every day to stay on the team and always give 100% on the field - just to survive.

The Youth 11 National Team asked me to play for them when I was 11 years old. All my expenses would be paid. At that time, however, I was also playing basketball and really enjoyed that sport too, but I couldn’t do both. I had to quit basketball. I asked my dad to please call my basketball coach and let him know I was quiting basketball. However my dad said “You are old enough to call your coach and tell him your decision.” That taught me to be responsible for my decisions and myself.

As I became a teenager, my dad asked me what I want to be and what I want to do in my life. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I told him “I want to be a pro-soccer player in biggest soccer club in Europe.” My dad said, “Miki do you know how many kids want to play professional soccer? Only a few make a team and more than that you want to play in biggest soccer club in EUROPE! You need to focus on your studies. I told my dad “I will make the team, and I will still finish school because you want me to, but my heart its on soccer field.”

When I was 16 year old, the President of the Red Star Soccer Club called me in his office. I was thinking, “I am in big trouble…” I thought for sure I was out, but instead he told me to bring my dad next Monday to meet with them to discuss a professional contract. When I signed the contract and received my first pay check I made more money than both of my parents earned combined for an entire year. I returned to my first soccer coach that had bought me new soccer shoes when I was 9 years old and left a note on his desk along with keys to a new car. On the note I wrote “Coach you deserve more, but this is something for you to remember one of your students. All Respect, MiKI”

On that day my dream to be professional soccer player came true, and I have been living this dream ever since. Through these years of playing pro-soccer I have met a lot of good people, made a lot of friends, and learned a solid life lesson - work hard to respect every person, love the sport, and practice everyday.

Remember to love what you are doing and do it with all of your heart. Give everything you have to the game, be honest with your teammates, and work hard. Do this and you will continually improve yourself and be successful.

From my experience 30% is talent and 70% hard work. How you practice is how you will play.

Are you ready to be pro?

- Miki Djerisilo