part of an ongoing series that introduces LAFC players in their own words
I am from Mexico City, from a neighborhood called Tepito. Everyone classifies it as dangerous, but to me Tepito is a barrio full of hardworking people who get up every day to earn their daily bread. That’s what I saw growing up. That’s the Tepito I know, despite its reputation.
My first football memory was when I played on my dad's team when I was little. The field was dirt. I didn't like football, but little by little I started to enjoy it and eventually I fell in love with it.
My dad was the one who pushed me. He was always tough on me because he saw something in me. He worked hard to support our family, he was always there for me, encouraging me to play and to reach my potential.
I played striker as a child, and my favorite player was Ronaldinho. He was near the end of his career at that time, so he didn’t run as much as he used to, but I watched him every chance I could. After him, it was Messi. He is still one of my favorites. As far as players who play my position, Marcelo—the great Brazilian left back who played for Real Madrid for so many years—he was the player I followed and learned from by watching him play.
I first realized I had a chance to play professionally when I was seven or eight years old. I started to see my own qualities. I started to see what I could give. My dad also saw that I could do something more. His belief in me pushed me to become a professional player.
I joined the youth academy of [Liga MX club] Santos Laguna when I was 14. I relocated to Torreón, a thousand miles north of our home in Mexico City. I was so far from my parents, my siblings, my friends. It was hard. I felt alone. I wanted to go home. But I stuck with it.
In the offseasons, my dad and I worked for Uber Eats. I worked every day, picking up the orders and delivering them on my motorcycle. Sometimes they would give you a tip. Sometimes not. I will never forget those moments. But that's how it was at the beginning. We didn't have any money. Well, we had some, but not enough to eat well. That situation motivated us to push forward, to try and reach my dream of playing professionally so we wouldn’t be in a situation of crisis.
I like pushing forward as a player as well. I have always liked to attack. I was a forward for most of my life. I enjoy applying pressure and creating chances for my team. I have always been fast, which helped me as a forward, and then when I was moved to winger, and later when I was moved to my current position, left back. That’s where I made my professional debut for Santos Laguna, at age 18.
When I was playing for Santos Laguna, I used to watch MLS games. That’s when I first took notice of LAFC. It seemed the club was always winning, playing exciting football, competing for trophies. When I learned that there was a possibility of me coming here earlier this year, I didn't hesitate. It was a fast transition. Within two weeks of learning that LAFC was a possibility for me, I was here.
The style of play in MLS is different than in Liga MX. The style here is very touch-and-move, which I was not used to. I have more confidence now than when I first arrived. I am combining more [exchanging passes in the attack]. I’m confident that I will continue to raise my level here.
My main goals now are to keep helping our team win, and to maintain my position in the starting eleven. Ryan [Hollingshead] is a great player who plays the position very well. The competition between me and Ryan and Sergi [Palencia] has been a healthy one and a professional one. I will continue giving 100 percent so that I can start games and hopefully finish them, too.
My parents are still in Mexico. They don't have a visa, they can't come here to L.A., so obviously I miss them. But we are always together. I have a sister, Stephanie, who is four years older than I am, and a brother, Johan, who is nine years younger. We have always been very close, all of us. My sister has two daughters. I am a proud uncle to my nieces Ingrid and Sharon, whom I love very much.
Fortunately, my girlfriend, Katia, was able to move to Los Angeles with me. She is a professional footballer as well, but when I got the opportunity to come to LAFC, she put her career on pause to be with me.
I really like Los Angeles. It's a very pretty city. It’s safe. I feel comfortable here. My girlfriend’s choice to come with me has really helped my transition to this new environment. Hopefully my parents will be able to visit soon.
I haven’t been here for very long, but I have already had a few memorable experiences. I had never seen snow before, and the second game I played for LAFC was played in a snowstorm that turned everything completely white. It wasn’t the result we wanted, but what an experience.
More than anything I have enjoyed the team's triumphs, celebrating the victories with my teammates, gaining their confidence, and feeling our form improve as a team. Our home environment at BMO Stadium has also been an unexpected experience. Our people are always cheering and supporting. Thanks to them, we are who we are. They are always there, in the good times and bad, home or away, win or lose. They push us and believe in us, the way my dad pushed me, the way my family believes in me.
Just like when I was a kid, my eyes are being opened to my own quality, to what I can give to a championship-level team. I have come a long way from the barrio of Tepito, but I will never leave. I am who Tepito made me. I am who my family made me. And I’m just getting started.
