Young Bacolodnon footballer Joshua Moleje is a step closer to fulfilling his “childhood dream” after earning a full scholarship from the Levante Unión Deportiva, S.A.D, a Valencia-based football club in Spanish La Liga’s second tier.
The 15-year-old winger turned heads in the 2024 International Football Championships in Bali, Indonesia after a stellar performance while playing for the Azkals Development Academy (ADA), earning him the Best Forward award in the 15-under division.
ADA finished 1st Runner Up squaring up against clubs from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia.
“It was a football tournament in Bali. I didn't expect it to be such a big opportunity like that. Just played my best and did everything I could. And after a game, there was an awarding. They announced who the best player was at the tournament. They announced my name. I was shocked,” Moleje told GMA Regional TV News.
The Philippine national Under 16 team member had the opportunity to train for the club’s youth team and a chance to play while gaining valuable experience in one of top football clubs in the world.
“I'm looking forward to staying there, have a good contract, and improve there a lot. Represent my country well and I can do my best and be better,” he stated.
Among the notable names who suited up for Levante include the great Johan Cruyff, Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, and Spanish defender Juanfran.
FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE GAME
Moleje started playing football when he was eight years old at the hallways of the University of St. La Salle-Integrated School in Bacolod City.
“I really remember the first time I kicked a ball for fun with my friends during breaks at school. The more I played, the more I felt connected to the game, like I found something I really liked doing,” Moleje shared.
He said he once trained for the school’s basketball team during third grade but eventually realized that football was the sport for him.
“Looking back, it was a small moment with my friends during class breaks but my love for football was already growing with them,” he added.
Because his black leather shoes were not made for football, his mother decided to get him shoes that would last longer.
“My Mom would always call me because my black shoes would wear out so easily that she eventually gave up buying leather ones and gave me rubber black shoes hoping they'd last longer,” he stated.
With his father, Aldep, also a football enthusiast, it was easy for him to pour his heart out every time he walked onto the pitch.
“He's the one who supported me in seeking out opportunities to grow as a player. He pushed me forward when I felt too tired. Always been the wall I could lean on when everything felt heavy,” he said.
Meanwhile, despite scaring his mother, Love, whenever he plays, she has always been his source of strength and motivation.
“I always scare my mom whenever I play. She motivates me to keep working hard and I always enjoy that.”
Asked for his memorable experience, he was quick to remember the day he met his idol during the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup held in Bacolod — no less than former national team skipper Stephen Schrock.
Schrock would later become his coach at ADA a few years later.
Moleje walked alongside the Filipino-German out of the tunnel as one of the player escorts, a child who accompanies a football player onto the pitch.
“I remember my dad insisted on chasing the team after the match just to get photos of the players. That moment inspired me to dream of one day being like them.”
The charismatic midfielder, on the other hand, applauded his ward on social media for his recent achievement.
“From a young dreamer to a rising star, Josh Moleje. Witnessing dreams turn into reality is the greatest reward. Proud to be part of this journey,” he wrote on Facebook.
Schrock also played for Bacolod-based club Ceres Negros FC that holds their home games at the Panaad Park and Stadium.
ULTIMATE DREAM
With the new dawn of Philippine football in the country rising following a successful stint of the national team in the 2014 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup, Moleje hopes to one day don the national colors in the senior ranks and help the Philippines achieve glory.
“It Inspires me to work harder and, one day, if I can play there, I can bring them to a much higher level like the finals or even win the cup,” he bared.
If the stars align, the young prodigy also hopes to play internationally one day, may it be in Spain or anywhere else in the world.
“My ultimate football dream is, of course, to play outside (the country), playing in big leagues like La Liga (Spain) and Premier League (England) and also to represent my country, Philippines, to win games, like in the Asian Cup.”
The Philippines made its debut in the AFC Asian Cup in 2019 but failed to qualify in the 2023 edition.
