“When it comes to my age in Macao – only a few players would be able to handle the level of competition in Shanghai,” says 18-year-old David Simões.
The young local athlete was born to parents who were footballers themselves. So it comes as no surprise that Simões chose a similar path. He was just three years old when he first started kicking the ball around the park. For six years now, Simões has risen through the ranks at Benfica Macau’s U14, U16 and U19 and became a regular starter with the first team since last season – featuring in the SARs top division, Liga de Elite.
In February this year, David Simões was given an opportunity to try out at China’s top side Shanghai Shenhua in the U-18 category. He shares what he was most surprised by, what training there was like, and his advice for young local footballers like himself.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What surprised you the most at Shanghai Shenhua Football Club?
I had high expectations, considering it’s the highest level in China for players my age. But the quality didn’t surprise me. I was pleasantly surprised by the facilities. The food was excellent [laughs], but I had never seen such impressive and spacious facilities. It was an honour to experience it. With eight pitches, gyms, and numerous meeting rooms for training analysis, it felt like a different world compared to Macao.
Why were you there and are you going back?
I was invited to go for a trial. Although I believed in my abilities, [the club] made it up to me whether to stay. They sensed my discomfort, which was true. My biggest challenge was the language barrier, as no one spoke English. I often felt alone and the days were quite long. That’s the main reason I decided not to stay. I know there are other opportunities for me elsewhere and I’ll explore them soon.
[See more: Nine questions for Macao’s top centre forward Leong Ka Hang]
What was the training like?
I was there for a week and the training varied from one to two sessions daily. It was well-balanced, with some days being intense and others more relaxed. Despite the rainy weather and temperatures as low as 2 degrees, everyone gave their all. Their physicality was imposing and they never stopped running. They were almost like robots.
Any advice for young players in Macao?
In Macao, it’s challenging to focus solely on football like the players [in Shanghai]. They live and breathe football without other worries, whereas in Macao, players have school and less time to dedicate to football. Diet is also crucial. Even though some players might have the talent, the overall lifestyle significantly affects skill level.
If you truly aspire to become a professional, start early and work on building your body from a young age. While you might think skipping one training session is fine, others your age are in a professional environment daily.
[See more: What’s next for football in Macao?]
As a young and promising footballer in Macao, what are your hopes for the sport in the city?
Youth football in Macao is growing with the emergence of new academies and increasing popularity. There still is a significant gap at higher levels. The first division lacks balance among the teams.
It would be beneficial to have a more balanced league. If you’re good enough, you’ll want a challenge. That’s just how it works. Unless the league’s overall quality improves and we see progress at the [SAR] level, young players will continue seeking opportunities elsewhere.
