Desire to play soccer and to learn more about the game. Marco Sunol meets SMI

Marco Sunol-Rojas is a 22 years old Costa Rican who spent most of his childhood in the United States. He graduated with a major in Business throughout his 4 years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. After a professional soccer experience in Melbourne (Australia), he decided to join Soccer Management Institute. 

“I chose to attend SMI in order to continue to pursue my dreams in the beautiful game of futbol, both on and off the field. The combination of a high-level of soccer and academics immediately seemed like the right fit for any individual who wants to gain knowledge about all of the professional angles within the sport of Soccer. The opportunity SMI gives to learn more about the ins and out of the sport alongside some of the most prestigious clubs, institutions, and people in the industry is also an exceptional motivation to an aspiring professional. The SMI seemed like the perfect platform to continue to work towards my dreams and goals within the world of soccer.“

Marco is sure that this experience will have a huge impact on his soccer and professional career and that Italy represents the perfect country to gain more insights about this industry.

“When I heard about SMI I immediately thought that it was too good to be true but the reality is that the opportunity given by this Institution is an incredible one. I will gain knowledge from prestigious professors, coaches, and clubs in a country with a historic soccer culture. It will allow me to have a firsthand experience on the many functions of soccer from one of the strongest professional leagues in the world. The chance to impress on and off the field is a huge motivation in itself that will have a substantial impact on my future”

Even though Marco has been quite a traveler so far, moving to Italy represents a big step for him at this point in life. However, the opportunity to keep playing soccer while getting a higher education was too appealing to let it go.

“The chance to showcase my talent as a professional soccer player in such a strong soccer-culture such as Italy, while learning more about the game had the biggest impact on my decision to attend SMI. The connections, opportunities, and doors that are potentially available through SMI also had a strong impact on the final choice.”

Any soccer player dreams about making a professional career in one of the best teams in the world. For Marco this dream is still alive and vivid in his mind.

“If I close my eyes and start dreaming like I child, I see myself playing for Juventus at their amazing stadium with a legendary player such as Cristiano Ronaldo. But, when I realistically ponder about SMI, I see myself enjoying every day being surrounded by people with the same love for the beautiful game, while living in one of the greatest cities in the world. I see myself happily training every day trying to become a better player, then continuing the day learning about the game off of the field through my courses. My dream also consists of playing professionally in Italy, as well as earning a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from SMI in one year’s time and I will do my best to achieve these goals of mine”.

SMI Press Office