Marco Balarezo '23 Recruiting Profile

My style of play – a tiki-taka passing game combined with Brazilian ginga flair – was inspired by my extraordinary experiences training with FCB Escola in Barcelona and Cruzeiro Academy in Brazil. I try to work one-touch passing sequences with my teammates and use creative skills when the opportunity arises. A loyal Barça fan, I have long admired their team’s ethos of teamwork and humility.  I strive to emulate these values by encouraging my teammates when they make mistakes and by creating scoring opportunities not just for myself, but for them as well.

Creativity has long been a part of my life off the field as well: I play violin and djembe drum, taught myself piano, and now take classes in digital music production. Although I am early in my high school career and not sure what I want to study in college, I know I want soccer to continue to be a major part of my life as it has been since I was three.

My goal right now is to challenge myself to be the best I can be both academically and athletically. I have taken all honors classes since seventh grade, and I push myself to train several additional days a week outside of club practice. I also regularly review my own and professional game film in order to improve my play.

I am looking for a college team that is competitive and ambitious, with great chemistry, and that also encourages the values of teamwork, character and respect for others. I want to find a school that is academically challenging and that offers the opportunity to explore a variety of career paths that match my interests and talents.