Watch Henrique's Spotlight Video HERE

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Sophomore midfielder Henrique Borlido kicks off YHC's Athlete Spotlight series. Athletics Media Intern Nicole Klucharich talked with Borlido about his background and talents off the pitch.

Q&A WITH HENRIQUE BORLIDO:
Q: Let's find out where your love for the game really began. You grew up in Brazil, talk about your youth soccer years in Brazil?

A: First, I would like to outline how soccer works in Brazil. Soccer is deeply rooted in Brazilian culture. It is basically the only and main sport you practice, and you love in Brazil. Everyone consumes and loves soccer in Brazil. It is a big thing. I started playing when I was five and since then I always wanted to be a professional player. When I was nine, I started playing good competition and when I was thirteen; I joined one of the main teams in Brazil and I really lived soccer in Brazil.

I would like to explain the soccer scenario in Brazil. Brazil is a very poor country; it is big but there is a lot of poverty. This is a shocking statistic 90% of Brazilian people live and earn less than 800 dollars. What happens is more than half of Brazilian children and teenagers want to become soccer players to change their economic environment. The competition is different there than in the US and this is something I admire in the US. The healthy competition and sport environment here is beautiful. In Brazil it is different, the competition is kind of actually savage and it is not a healthy environment at all. Very young players get a lot of pressure from the clubs, their families, and themselves. As I said, their only chance to change this economic reality is soccer. They don't have the opportunity to pursue academic careers as well. So, they don't have the opportunity to go to college or get a good education. The clubs they create a dynamic and environment that from 16 you have to stop studying and you live at the club and study at the club and your life starts only becoming soccer. Even before that, when you are in a big club, it is difficult to deal with school and club because they are not linked together.

When I was 15, I got released from this team and I still wanted to be a professional footballer, but I saw in Brazil that probably was not where I could be a professional. My uncle lives in Germany, so I went there hoping to do some trial there. I got on a team but covid hit, so I came back from Brazil and stopped playing for a while.

Q: Wow, that's such an eye-opening and inspiring story. It seems like you have utilized all of your opportunities for the game of soccer. I want to talk a little bit about you and your preparation. Last year you were injured, and you have prepared so hard physically to get back to where you are now. When we were talking before this, you were talking about how you love visualization and meditation, could just talk about those two processes and how that impacts your game?

A: I would say that everything that is happening right now on the pitch for me, for me to be here at Young Harris right now, I have to thank meditation. These two years that I didn't play, I had problems with anxiety and got very anxious with life not knowing what I would do and then meditation came as a perfect opportunity to help me be more calm and getting to know what I want and who I am you know. So, meditation has endless benefits. I visualize what I am doing on the pitch; I visualize how I am going to wake up, what I am going to do in the day. It helps me to be grateful for things as well. I am extremely grateful to train every day and every day I try to practice this gratitude.

Q: For sure and are these strategies you suggest to your teammates and use in other aspects of your life as well?

A: One hundred percent. I mean, I think my teammates think I am a bit crazy because of it. But I tell my teammates, guys you don't know how it would change you and how it would help. For anyone, even outside of sports, meditation is something that everyone could do and it would help every single person.

Q: Absolutely, and we know what you love to do on the field. So, let's talk about your hobbies and interests in the field. I know you said you love reading books and traveling. Where are some of your favorite places that you have been?

A: I've been to a lot of places, gratefully my family loves to travel. So, one of the main places, Thailand is an extremely beautiful place, South Africa is beautiful as well, and the Grand Canyon here was outstanding.

Q: Talking about in the classroom, you are a business major. What are your aspirations in this field and are there any classes you have taken or professors you've had that just made a difference here at Young Harris?

A: So far, I like to be in class to do everything I have to do to be on the pitch. Because here in the U.S. to keep playing the sport you love, you have to study. I like to learn with everyone as well so every teacher I can learn something from them, already I have had some great teachers.

Q: Lastly, let's just talk about your next step. You had talked about playing professional soccer here in the United States or in Europe, so just talk about what your next steps are and your plan after Young Harris.

A: I really believe everything in life is a process and we have to be connected to the present, another thing from meditation, to be connected in the present moment. So, everything for me is the now. How I prepare myself every day in training and be grateful to be here, this opportunity. So, I want to learn a lot here and I still have to go through a lot of processes. My dream is to be a professional footballer. I hope and really believe if I pass through every process intently and learn from it as well as having courage in the journey, I can definitely live my dream. I really believe it.

Catch Henrique and the rest of the men's soccer team tonight at 4:00 p.m. as they take on Clayton State at the YHC Soccer and Lacrosse Fields.