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Venezuela Football World Cup: Yeferson Soteldo-The small guy with big skills

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Venezuela Football World Cup: Yeferson Soteldo-The small guy with big skills

From the beginning, the story of Yeferson Soteldo corresponded to each step of his life in rapid development. At the age of 18, he had his first child, at 16 he made his debut in Venezuela and at 17 he scored his first professional goal.

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Soteldo started his soccer career with the U-14 team of Caracas FC (one of the biggest clubs in Venezuela), but unfortunately, he didn't last long due to behavioral problems. In Caracas, they kicked me out for indiscipline caused by my behavior, and I don't deny it because all these bad influences are not over, Soteldo said in an interview via Google Translate.

When I came to Zamora, the coach told me that I had a lot of ability, and he made me understand that, and I listened to him. Noel San Vicente is one of the most famous managers in Venezuela and when he saw Manzanita (Little Apple) playing in the local league, he decided to give Soteldo a chance. FC Zamora, located in western Venezuela, is another important club that has emerged in the last 10 seasons.

For Soteldo, this second chance means more than just the opportunity to make a name for himself as a professional in soccer. You see, Soteldo's upbringing was far from ideal. The Venezuelan international says soccer saved him from the streets, gun violence, and even death.

 

I live in a very dangerous neighborhood in Caracas, where my family also still lives, Soteldo explained. If it wasn't for soccer, I would have come out very badly, maybe even dead. I have to thank soccer for getting me out of there. I grew up with some friends I called friends at the time, and we played together since I was six years old, Soteldo said.

At age 11, they started going overboard, and at age 12, they started robbing. Suddenly they could afford a lot of things and I had nothing. That's when I started going in the same direction. But when I was 13, one of them was killed, and that's when I asked myself. What am I doing here?

From the U-16 team to Zamora's first team, he played very well and helped the club win two championships in 2015-2016 (an impressive feat for a club founded in 2002). At Zamora, Sotto met his current teammate Eriksson Gallardo and the two became good friends.

His outstanding performances attracted the interest of European, Colombian, and Mexican clubs, but it was Chilean club Huachipato that piqued Soteldo's interest. In 2017, Huachipato signed the talented teenager for €1.5 million, the club's highest transfer fee to date. For more details about Football World Cup Hospitality Packages click here.

2017 was Soteldo's year: an impressive U-20 World Cup with Vinotinto (nickname of the national team), where Venezuela had a strong run to the final, which unfortunately lost 1-0 to England. But during that World Cup, alongside fellow striker Adalberto Peñaranda, Venezuelan fans saw Soteldo's polished diamonds, his key passes, his skill, and his strong, clear identity throughout the tournament. There was hope.

Like many international competitions, this one was a showcase for him, as Soteldo was eventually loaned to one of Chile's biggest clubs, U de Chile, shortly after for the Copa Libertadores in January 2018. More visibility and more eyes on him helped him move up to a new league.

When fans talk about South American soccer, they can't avoid Brazil. After weeks of negotiations, Soteldo chose one of Brazil's biggest clubs, Santos FC, which produces world-class talent like Pelé and Neymar. For more details about Football World Cup Hospitality Tickets click here.

Soteldo, who wanted to wear the iconic number 10 jersey, was convinced by Jorge Sampaoli (former Chilean university coach) to join Santos. The respected manager helped Soteldo develop into a footballer 2.0 (a mix of intelligence and skill) who could attack with venom but was still willing to counter-press or support his defenders without the ball after 20 seconds.

Being a guy who follows his coach's advice, I work hard and change. Now I can run 10 or 11 miles a game. He is by far one of the coaches who taught me the most. He learned that the hard way from Sampaoli, who coached the Argentine national team before joining Santos: soccer is more than just offense.

Despite a strong start in attack, Sampaoli insists that if Soteldo wants to play for Santos and continue to get playing time, he must learn the defensive side of the beautiful game. In the aforementioned interview with FIFA.com, Soteldo credited his improved work rate to Sampaoli, who is currently the coach of Marseille in Ligue 1.

I made my first appearance shortly after signing and scored a goal on my debut, Soteldo said. But after three or four games, he didn't put me back in the team. Before the Classico game against Palmeiras, he gave me an ultimatum and that's when I understood what was going on.

Being a person who follows his coach's advice, I worked hard and changed. Now I can run 10 or 11 miles a race. He is by far one of the coaches who taught me the most. In no time, Soteldo captivated the demanding Brazilian fans with his dribbles, key passes, and free kicks.

In 2019, he was runner-up in the Brazilian league, an event that somehow served as motivation to conquer the 2020 Copa Libertadores, a trophy in which he showed all his talent after losing 1-0 to Palmeiras in the final and being on the verge of touching eternal glory.

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