Manuel Plaza García, a physical trainer from Salamanca, is making a significant career shift as he prepares to move to the United States to join the Juventus Academy. This prestigious institution, affiliated with the renowned Italian football club, offers him a chance to nurture future football talents.
This week marks a pivotal moment for Plaza, who is filled with excitement and nerves as he packs his bags. This transition is not merely a job change; it represents an opportunity for personal and professional growth in a foreign country, allowing him to share his unique understanding of sports developed through years of dedication and humility.
Plaza”s journey began far from major stadiums and international networks, starting instead on the modest pitches of Santa Marta de Tormes, where he first trained while still in school. There, among cones and footballs, he learned the fundamentals of building a career from the ground up, emphasizing patience and continuous education. “Before finishing my degree, I was already involved in football,” he reflects, acknowledging that every step has led him to this moment.
He holds a degree in Physical Activity and Sports Science, along with experience as a physical trainer at Santa Marta and a master”s degree in high performance. His career has not been marked by leaps, but rather by steady, solid progress. At Santa Marta, he honed his skills in group leadership and learned the importance of understanding each player”s individuality. “The invisible work, the kind that doesn”t make it to the photos, is what truly makes a difference,” he recalls.
His experience at Alavés was transformative, teaching him that physical preparation blends science with intuition, data with human interaction. The opportunity to work with Juventus came unexpectedly, without grand promises, initially offering him a two-week trial. His disciplined and respectful approach resonated with the academy”s goals, leading to an official offer after a lengthy wait for paperwork and visa arrangements.
Before becoming a physical trainer, Plaza was a player himself, having been part of the youth ranks of Salamanca until a knee injury and a subsequent unsuccessful surgery ended his hopes of a professional playing career. “I had to leave football, but fortunately, I pursued my degree,” he recalls, emphasizing the lessons learned through adversity. That injury, once a setback, has ultimately guided him to this new chapter in the U.S.
On Wednesday, he will board a flight to the U.S., where he will work with all age groups at the Juventus Academy, ranging from 11-year-olds to young adults aged 18 to 19. His primary role will be to coordinate physical training, focusing on establishing a methodology that balances strength and technique, injury prevention, and preparation for professional advancement.
This complex task excites him. “It”s a life change, a new challenge, new experiences. I had offers in Spain, but I wanted a change of scenery, and what better way than to go 7,000 kilometers away?” he expresses. His partner will accompany him, as they both embark on this new phase that promises to be a personal journey beyond just football.
Support from family and friends has been vital during this transition. Reactions to his move to the U.S. have been mixed, ranging from excitement to nostalgia. “Some were more eager than I was for me to leave. They know it”s a unique opportunity, a life change. Others are struggling with the distance and time zone differences,” he explains.
Plaza remains open to possibilities, stating, “There should be no limits.” He reflects on how unexpected opportunities have arisen, recalling how he was searching for a place to live in Santa Marta when he received the call from Alavés and subsequently from Juventus. “If you told me a year ago that I would be on the verge of moving to the U.S., I would have thought you were crazy,” he admits.
His philosophy centers on embracing each stage of life without fixating on the future. “Whatever comes next is welcome. What I take to the U.S. is invaluable learning. If it goes well, great; if not, I will have gained an incredible experience,” he summarizes.
Manuel”s departure is not one of dramatic farewells but rather a calm transition. He understands that important paths do not close; they merely evolve. “The intention is to return to Spain one day. This is just a phase, an experience,” he concludes.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of his story lies not in joining an international academy but in doing so while maintaining perspective. Manuel does not define himself by the emblem he now wears but by the journey that led him there. He speaks of his work with humility and authenticity. “Of course, I feel a bit scared. But the excitement is incredible. Representing such a club, living out my passion… it”s a dream,” he shares, describing a dream that began on the dirt fields of Salamanca and now leads to American grass pitches, where children with different accents will practice the drills he designs. This journey illustrates that sometimes, the longest paths are traversed through small, consistent steps. As he mentally prepares to leave behind his family, friends, and routine, Manuel looks forward to what lies ahead: the first training session, the language barrier, and cultural differences. None of these challenges seem daunting to him. “It”s all part of the learning process,” he insists. Perhaps this is why his narrative feels less like a farewell and more like a beginning, transitioning from Santa Marta to Juventus, from Salamanca to the world, with a resilient spirit, equipped with the knowledge gained from his career, and driven by a passion that pushes him unbounded toward a dream that is already becoming a reality. Manuel Plaza is now officially the physical trainer for the Juventus Academy in the United States.
