The soccer world is continually brimming with many skills, most of whom have skilled all their lives to change into as nice as Lionel Messi, Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos. To maintain it Nigerian; Jay-Jay Okocha, Torino West, Kanu Nwankwo, and even William Troost-Ekong.

A type of starlets is 19-year-old Endurance Oluwashina Osemudiamhen Alade. The defender was born in Vlissingen, a metropolis within the Southwestern Netherlands, on the island of Walcheren.

Though he grew up in Rotterdam, from the title, it’s clear that he has Nigerian dad and mom, and he takes to his roots fairly keenly, as as an alternative of the Netherlands, the nation of his beginning, he desires to signify Nigeria Identical to Troost-Ekong.

Who’s Endurance, and why does he love soccer?

Endurance grew up in Rotterdam, a metropolis famend for its soccer expertise. That metropolis has produced greats like Robin Van Persie, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, and Georginio Wijnaldum, to say a couple of.

Though he beloved the sport from a distance, Endurance was indifferent from soccer in his youth. His dad and mom have been additionally not very , so there was little encouragement initially.

The 19-year-old defender was not concerned with any soccer golf equipment throughout his early years, primarily as a result of his dad and mom seen the Rotterdam setting as harmful.

Nevertheless, his ardour for soccer was dropped at mild when he and his household moved to Maassluis—one other metropolis within the Netherlands—on the age of 11. It was there that he found his real love for the game.
In his interview with Soccernet.ng, Endurance remembers that his first actual contact with a soccer was the turning level in his life.

“I believe it was only one second in my life after I touched a ball—and all of a sudden, I fell in love with the sport,” he advised Soccernet.ng.

Nevertheless, he revealed that his dad and mom, significantly his late father, weren’t initially supportive of a soccer profession.

“To be sincere, my dad and mom weren’t massive supporters of soccer. Though my late father used to play, you understand how Nigerian dad and mom are—they need their kids to get a diploma and change into a health care provider or lawyer.”

Nonetheless, his dad and mom finally got here round, and his father’s choice to enrol him in a neighborhood soccer membership marked the beginning of his journey into the fast-paced world of soccer.

The Jay-Jay Okocha impact

As said beforehand, Endurance was born and raised within the Netherlands, however his dad and mom have been fast to immerse him deeply in Nigerian tradition.

He speaks fairly properly about his connection to his Nigerian heritage, even mentioning that he grew up talking Pidgin and having fun with his fatherland’s conventional meals and way of life.

“I’ve tasted all the things, eaten many of the issues Nigerians eat,” Endurance stated. His love for Nigerian soccer additionally runs deep, particularly on the subject of legendary participant Jay-Jay Okocha.

“I watched Jay-Jay Okocha quite a bit after I was youthful. In my eyes, he’s one of many best Nigerian footballers ever. What he did with the ball was pure magic. I attempt to study from his movies, particularly after I’m enjoying in a full-back place,” he stated.

The 19-year-old starlet additionally admits that he additionally takes some bits from Dutch gamers.

“I additionally get pleasure from watching Lutsharel Geertruida and Jurrien Timber as a result of they will play each as center-backs and full-backs. They’re superb on the ball and play with aptitude, which I really like.”

Endurance desires to be higher than Troost-Ekong, however does he have the qualities?

Endurance appears as much as present Nigerian gamers, significantly William Troost-Ekong, whose management and success in tournaments, particularly the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, have left an enormous impression on him.

Recall that identical to Endurance, Troost-Ekong was born and bred within the Netherlands.

Now, Endurance goals of towing the Tremendous Eagles captain’s path and reaching related milestones and even surpassing them.

“I’ve plenty of respect for William Troost-Ekong as a result of, like me, he’s Dutch and Nigerian. His management each on and off the pitch is unimaginable, and he achieved nice issues throughout AFCON earlier this 12 months.”

However the massive query is, does he have the standard?

Endurance’s footballing abilities are undeniably spectacular. Identified for his power, velocity, and glorious one-on-one defending, the 19-year-old defender has the technical potential to take opponents out of the sport. He stands tall at 6 ft 2 and has nice agility.

Endurance combines defensive solidity with some aptitude within the remaining third. And apparently, whether or not enjoying as a center-back or right-back, he’s at all times seeking to enhance.

“I’m primarily a younger participant who appears for combos on the sector. I intention to play lovely soccer, exhibiting aptitude, whereas being a strong defender and contributing to the attacking play. I’m additionally very wanting to study as a result of I wish to carry out the perfect model of myself each day and attain my full potential,” Endurance stated.

A giant benefit that Endurance has is his versatility, as he’s not restricted to simply the defence. He can play in midfield, as he feels that it goes together with his ability set.

He’s additionally at all times wanting to study, continually striving to carry out the perfect model of himself each day.

“I’m nonetheless at school and at all times attempt to make time to put money into myself. Whether or not it’s going to the gymnasium, coaching after college on a pitch to enhance my abilities, or enjoying avenue soccer in Rotterdam on the courts—all of it helps me quite a bit, particularly with confidence and taking up opponents throughout matches.”

Help from Buddies and Mentors

Other than the massive names, Endurance additionally revealed how shut pals and soccer mentors have helped him.

He revealed that he has skilled alongside skilled footballers like Milan van Ewijk (Coventry Metropolis) and Iliass Bel Hassani (Al-Jabalain FC), who have been fairly impressed with him and even supplied some ideas.

Seeking to the long run, what’s subsequent?

Endurance doesn’t examine himself to different gamers. He’s pushed to be the perfect model of himself and attain new heights in his soccer profession.

He elements in greats like Cristiano Ronaldo, whose mentality and work ethic have drastically impacted him. Regardless of not enjoying in the identical place, Alade admires Ronaldo’s dedication and believes in studying from all elements of his sport.

“I respect all soccer gamers. One who has charmed me is just Ronaldo, despite the fact that he doesn’t play my place on the sector. Cristiano Ronaldo has made me suppose and study quite a bit.”

The teen has had trials at totally different golf equipment already. In 2020, he had trials at Dutch membership Excelsior Rotterdam however was not chosen as a result of COVID-19. That didn’t cease him, although; he not too long ago succeeded in a trial at FK IMT Beograd Serbia.

He will likely be seeking to construct his profession internationally. And with the Beneath-20 Africa Cup of Nations simply across the nook, he can fancy his possibilities of entering into the group.