One of the brightest stars to have emerged from Ibadan-based Madestone Football Academy, Korede Adeniyi, is already dreaming of becoming a famous player in the nearest future.
The eight-year-old forward, in a chat with APROKOVIBES Sports Extra, said he chose to play football to become successful and famous.
“I got inspired to become a footballer because I want to become a superstar and I believe that with hard work I can achieve that,” he said.
Thierry Henry is a global figure.
Not only did the Arsenal record goals scorer win every major club honour during a trophy-laden career, he also inspired a whole generation and Adeniyi is no exemption, as the youngster, who finds goals scoring goals second nature, said watching clips of the Frenchman had helped him perfect his shooting.
“Thierry Henry is my role model,” he said.
“Though I didn’t watch him play, I have watched several video clips of the Arsenal legend and I have learned a lot from him. His finishes are so good and he made scoring look so easy and that is why for me he is the best striker ever.”
The student of Lead British International School is proving to be a great acquisition despite joining Madestone not too long ago.
“I joined Madestone Football Academy last year, but it’s been a great journey and I am really grateful to my trainers for all the hard work and efforts to make me a better player than I was when I joined in 2022,” he said.
“Right now, the plan is to keep improving, but I hope that one day I will play for Bayern Munich in Germany.”
Combining education and sports is a tough task for many Nigerian athletes, but the student of Lead British International School has everything working in his favour as he hopes to attain the heights in his chosen career.
“My parents have my schedule worked out for me,” he added.
“I go to school and study from Monday to Friday and on Saturday they allow me to train and also watch some games on television. This is how I have been able to combine both my training and academy.”
Adeniyi’s mother told our correspondent they noticed the youngster’s desire to play football at a very tender age.
“Korede has always had a keen interest in watching football, which was developed while watching football on television,” the father said.
“We noticed that when he was very young that he was always stayed glued to the television watching football and that was how we knew he had a passion for it.”
Great teachers empathise with kids, respect them, and believe that each one has something special that can be built upon, Tobi Olubiyi, head coach, Madestone Football Academy, while speaking with APROKOVIBES Sports Extra pointed out the qualities that makes the eight-year-old stands out.
He said, “Korede is excellent in training, he has the commendable ability for his age. He also shows commitment and interest in the sport. He possesses natural technical abilities and hits the ball really well; he looks great for the future.”