Young Filipino footballer Diego Aspiras has always wanted to chart a path to playing in Europe. When he got there, it was more challenging than he ever imagined.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that every Filipino football player dreams of playing at the highest level of competition. That includes 21-year-old Diego Aspiras, a product of the local club system who most recently spent time training with Barcelona City FC in Spain.
Barcelona City FC was founded just last year. It is both an official football club, as well as an international academy that targets international projects such as Diego. His coach at United City FC, Ramon Tribulietx, helped facilitate the opportunity.
Diego was there for roughly three months, during which time he absorbed as much as he could from one of the best footballing nations in the world. He says it’s always been his dream to play professional football in Europe, and his stint with Barcelona City, while brief, was a real eye-opener that gave him a better idea of what else he needs to do.
“It’s different,” Aspiras told The GAME in an exclusive interview. “I’d say there, you could tell football really is the sport that they love. Everyone reads the game. Everyone is very smart. Everyone knows what to do with every situation. So the margin of error there is very, very small.”
Aspiras rose up from the ranks of youth club football in the Philippines, first with Kaya FC Academy as a five-year-old. He was bitten by the football bug thanks to his Madrid-based aunt, who would regularly bring home pasalubong related to Real Madrid.
“That’s when I just started enjoying the sport. That’s when I started kicking a ball. Then I remember my whole journey started with Kaya FC, their academy, when I was about five or six years old. That’s when I started really playing the sport.”
Aspiras stayed with Kaya for around seven years and also spent some time with Makati FC at the youth level. He’s actually seen up close two generations of Philippine football, starting when the Azkals roamed the football landscape in the 2010s and up to more recently when the PMNFT began trotting out a new set of players.
For him, regardless of generation, the talent has always been there.
“I’d just say the game is very different now. I wouldn’t say talent level because I’ve seen Sandro (Reyes) play. I’ve played alongside Mark Hartmann, who was in the national team for very long. I played with James Younghusband. So I’ve seen both sides.
“And talent-wise, I wouldn’t say there’s that big of a difference. I’d just say the way the game is now is very different. The way the game is played suits the younger generation more now. The game is just different. So I’d say they both have the same amount of talent. It’s just how they use it now is very different.”
Diego enrolled in Ateneo for college with the original plan of playing in the UAAP first before turning pro in the PFL. But while he did suit up for the Blue Eagles in the Ang Liga tournament, ultimately, he decided to chart a different path.
“I feel like now, the progression I made is nowhere near the progression I would have made if I was still in UAAP. I feel like just having those mentors also at that higher level who’s played at top, top levels just really helped my development.
“My goal was always to play professional football. And when the opportunity came across with United City, which is one of the most decorated teams in the Philippines, then it’s definitely a no-brainer for me. And I was lucky enough to not just be a part of the team, but I ended up being a valuable asset. I ended up starting games for the team at just 19, 20.”
Diego eventually played for Manila Diggers and was also named to the U23 national pool. Then late last year, Tribulietx first broached the idea of going to Spain.
“I didn’t end up going until the end of the season because…I already had prior commitments. But it was something I really was keen on doing. But I’d say around February, March, the coach came up to me again.”
Barcelona City was fighting for promotion, and Diego was asked to come over to help the team.
“He said, ‘Can you come over and help?’ And it didn’t take too long for me to say yes.”
The club eventually lost their promotion match, bringing Diego’s initial foray into European club football to an end a few weeks ago. But he’s determined to return.
“I plan on going back to Europe, or maybe somewhere in Asia. I’m still deciding where I want to go. Obviously, I’ll plan on going and playing in a higher division. And we’ll see. My whole focus right now is just that next step. So we’ll see how that progresses.”
Filipinos playing in Europe is still a rare phenomenon, but Diego, of course, hopes their tribe increases sooner rather than later. His advice for those hoping to follow their path?
“I’d say you have to take every opportunity you can get. Put yourself in the best situation and circles to succeed. One thing is, you really won’t be able to please everybody with your decision. Unfortunately, that’s how the industry works.
“But for me, the way I go about it is, I know what I want. I know my dream. And my dream is always to play football in Europe. Play abroad. Play professionally abroad. So unfortunately, sometimes that may not always turn out good for you when it comes to how people see you here or how teams treat you here.
“But at the end of the day, you really have to push for it. It’s not easy. You really just have to be the best version of you possible.”
“Everyone there is good at football. At that level, no one is bad. So be the best at what makes you unique from everyone else. And be coachable. That’s the most important thing. Be coachable.”
Banner images courtesy of Diego Aspiras