By Julio Cesar Gomez, Co-Founder & Academy Director, and Daniel Arribas, Head Coach
Let us be direct.
At Madrid Euro Soccer Academy, we don’t run trials to discover stars. We run them to discover people. Players. Workers. Learners.
We built MESA with one goal in mind: to create an academy where players could live the game the way it’s meant to be lived—in full immersion. Not a showcase. Not a camp. But daily training, competition, and growth inside Madrid, the capital of Spanish football. Because the game can only really shape you when it surrounds you.
We’ve been part of hundreds of trials. The players who stand out aren’t the ones chasing flash. They’re the ones who show character—through their effort, their attitude, and the way they help the game flow.
What We Actually Look For
I (Julio) spent years scouting for Real Madrid and other elite clubs. Along the way, I even helped identify a teenage Achraf Hakimi long before the world knew his name. Those experiences shape how I see players today.
But here at MESA, I’m not hunting for superstars. We’re looking for signs: how a player recovers after a mistake, whether they’re still pressing when tired, or if they take a moment to encourage a teammate.
Talent is obvious. But it’s not enough.
What the Game Reveals
As Daniel always tells our players: “The game always tells the truth.”
He’s right. Drills can hide things. Games can’t.
That’s why we build our trials around realistic moments: small-sided matches, pressing scenarios, transition drills. We want to see what happens when the plan breaks down—because that’s when the real player shows up.
- Can they adjust?
- Do they hide?
- Do they lift others when things go wrong?
Often, it’s the small details that separate players. A recovery run. A burst of pressing after losing possession. A steady voice encouraging a teammate. These moments might not make a highlight reel, but they make us take notice.
The Five Traits That Always Stand Out
We’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking for players who show up the right way.
The ones who stick in our minds usually check these five boxes:
- Work Rate – Not just running. Working with purpose.
- Coachability – Can they listen, adjust, and apply what’s asked?
- Game IQ – Players who think early, move smartly, and help the team.
- Consistency – The level doesn’t drop.
Willingness to Grow – They don’t act like they’ve arrived. They act like they’re just getting started.
And no, you don’t need to be the biggest or strongest to show these. You just need to care.
What the Ball Tells Us
Yes, we look at the technical side.
How you receive. How you move before the ball gets to you. Whether you check your shoulder. Whether your first touch sets you up or shuts you down.
We look at how you defend. Are you a passenger, or part of the press? Do you chase back when a teammate loses the ball?
And we watch for little flashes—not tricks, but actions that help the team: noticing the switch early, breaking lines with a pass, holding the ball when it needs to be held.
It’s not about looking good. It’s about making the game better.
Common Mistakes That Hurt Players
If there’s one thing that can ruin a trial, it’s trying too hard to impress.
We see it often:
- A player tries to do everything individually.
- They drop their head or show frustration after a mistake.
- They stop running when the ball isn’t near them.
- They ignore instructions in a rush to stand out.
These don’t just hurt a trial. They reveal habits. And habits are what scouts notice most.
Advice We Give to Players
When parents ask what their child should focus on before a trial, our answer is simple:
Be ready physically and mentally. Play with confidence, without chasing perfection. Keep learning your position by watching football and studying what top players do. Work on your strengths, but don’t ignore your weaknesses.
The players who grow are the ones who aim to become complete footballers—not just good at one thing, but ready to adapt, improve, and help the game itself.
An Environment That Sees the Whole Player
There’s a difference between being seen and being truly understood.
At Madrid Euro Soccer Academy, we don’t run trials to check boxes. We use them to learn about a player’s mindset, instincts, and potential. We look deeper, past the nerves, past the highlight moments.
Because real development doesn’t start with a yes or no. It begins with clarity.
If your child is ready to be evaluated with care, detail, and honesty—by coaches who know what matters and why—this is where that begins.
Our environment isn’t for everyone. It’s demanding, immersive, and intentional. But for the right player, it’s transformational.
👉 Sign up for a MESA trial. Let us see your player the way they deserve to be seen.
And let them see what they’re truly capable of.
Julio Cesar Gomez
Co-Founder & Academy Director
(and Daniel Arribas, Head Coach)