Hey everyone! Over the past ten days, I finally completed the interview with my goalkeeper colleagues and spent some time transcribing it. It took longer than I expected, but I think it turned out pretty well. I really hope people find it interesting!
Even though I know these guys well and train with them every day, some of their stories genuinely surprised me. It’s funny how you can spend so much time with people and still not know everything about what drives them or the challenges they’ve faced.
I won’t say too much—I’ll let the interview speak for itself. Check it out below!
Interview
Interviewer: Could each of you tell me a little about your journey to becoming a goalkeeper?
Loup:
I started playing football as a attacker when I was around seven or eight, but I quickly realized I had a natural talent in goal,great reflexes and a good read of the game. Honestly, I’ve always felt like I was a step above the rest in terms of athleticism. So, at around ten, I switched fully to goalkeeper. I haven’t looked back since. Now, I’m close of being called up for the Belgian youth national team, which feels like a rightful place of where I’m meant to be.
Cole (18, USA):
My journey was a bit more gradual. I grew up in a footbgall-loving family in the United States, and I tried different positions before I found my passion in goal. The mental sideknowing you’re the last line of defense and that the team is counting on you,really appealed to me. I liked the responsibility. It’s a bit nerve-racking, but it’s where I feel the most alive on the field.
Ruben (Canada):
I actually started because my local team’s goalkeeper got injured during a youth tournament. They needed someone to fill in, and I volunteered. Turned out I was pretty decent at it—or at least I had fun diving around. I never really dreamed of going pro; I just enjoyed the thrill of it. Over time, I got more comfortable and realized I didn’t want to play anywhere else. For me, it’s all about enjoying every match.
Interviewer: What drew you to Spain Soccer Academy, and what has your experience been like so far?
Cole (USA): heard amazing things about the coaching philosophy in Spain. technical skills, tactical awareness. The academy’s reputation for developing well-rounded players was huge for me. Since arriving, I’ve seen just how dedicated the staff is.
For me, it was about taking the next big step. I needed world-class facilities, top-notch competition, and visibility. The academy has connections and a track record of sending players to professional clubs. I believe I belong in that environment where the standard is as high as my ambitions.
Interviewer: Who or what inspired you to play as a goalkeeper specifically?
Loup (Belgium):
I was always fascinated by top-level keepers like Thibaut Courtois. Watching him, I recognized a bit of my own style—tall, agile, confident. I saw a lot of potential in myself to reach that level.
Ruben (Canada):
It was more accidental for me—I enjoyed the adrenaline rush. But if I had to pick an inspiration, I’d say my local coach who always told me how important a good goalkeeper is. That made me feel valued and special.
Cole (USA):
Tim Howard was a big inspiration growing up. His performances on the U.S. national team showed me how a goalkeeper can truly turn a match around. I loved that leadership element he brought.
Interviewer: Walk me through a typical day for you here at the academy.
Cole (USA):
We usually wake up early—around 6 or 6:30 a.m. We have a team breakfast, then a morning training session focused on conditioning or technique drills. After that, there’s usually a break for lunch, rest, and sometimes classes or study sessions since education is also important. In the afternoon, we do another training session, often more tactical. Dinner is usually around 7 p.m., and then we relax, study, or watch game film. Lights out isn’t too strict, but we all know we need good rest.
Ruben (Canada):
That’s pretty much it. I’d add that there’s usually some free time for us to socialize, chat about the game, or even just unwind with friends. It’s intense but balanced—you can’t be all soccer, all the time.
Interviewer: What does a typical training session look like for a goalkeeper here, and how is it different from training other positions?
Soup (Belgium):
For goalkeepers, there’s a lot of focus on handling, footwork, and shot-stopping drills. We do specialized exercises with our goalkeeper coach, then we might join the full team for match simulations. It’s way more high-intensity for short bursts—diving, jumping, reacting quickly. Outfield players do more continuous movement.
Ruben (Canada):
Yeah, exactly. We do repeated drills where we’re making save after save in rapid succession, focusing on technique every single time. It’s physically and mentally taxing, but also super rewarding.
Interviewer: What’s one part of training you find the most challenging, and how do you push through it?
Loup (Belgium):
I think the mental aspect. Sometimes you get hammered with shots for an entire session. If you let one slip, you have to reset instantly or risk losing focus. I push through by telling myself I’m the best—because confidence is everything in goal.
Cole (USA):
For me, the biggest challenge is maintaining a consistent mindset. Pressure can build up quickly—especially if you have an off day. I overcome it by centering myself, focusing on breathing, and reminding myself why I love the game.
Ruben (Canada):
I agree with both. Sometimes the drills can feel repetitive. I push through by staying in the moment and thinking, “Hey, this is fun. I get to throw myself around on the field for a living.” That perspective helps.
Interviewer: What’s it like training and playing alongside other goalkeepers who are technically your competition?
Cole (USA):
It’s a unique bond. We all want to start matches, but we also know that the only people who truly get what we go through are each other. There’s healthy competition, but there’s also a lot of mutual respect.
loup (Belgium):
I love it. It pushes me to perform at my best because I see what the others are doing. If I’m training with strong goalkeepers, I have to stay one step ahead. That competition drives me.
Ruben (Canada):
I’m not as fixated on being “number one,” so it’s cool to learn from the others. It’s a friendly rivalry—we crack jokes, but we also celebrate each other’s great saves.
Interviewer: How do you and your fellow goalkeepers support each other on and off the field?
Ruben (Canada):
We give tips, for sure. If one of us notices a flaw—like being too slow to get down on low shots—we’ll point it out and help each other work on it. Off the field, we might just hang out, watch soccer clips, or grab a bite to eat together.
Loup (Belgium):
Yes, we share observations, but I’d say it’s more subtle for me. I might tease them in training, but if I see GK2 or GK3 struggling, I’ll step in with a comment: “Hey, check your positioning.” It’s competition, but I still want them to succeed.
Cole (USA):
And we all appreciate that honesty. We’re also good about giving each other emotional support. If someone has a rough game, we’ll talk it out and move on together.
Interviewer: Do you have any special rituals, inside jokes, or routines with the other goalkeepers?
Loup (Belgium):
Before every session, I tap each post and crossbar, then give GK2 and GK3 a quick nod. It’s my little superstition.
Cole (USA):
We have a playful thing where we’ll try to guess who’ll make the first diving save of a session. Loser sometimes has to do a quick sprint or buy snacks.
Ruben (Canada):
We also have a group chat where we share funny goalkeeper memes, especially the ones where someone tries to replicate a huge save but ends up crashing into the net.
Interviewer: What has been one of the most challenging moments you’ve faced as a goalkeeper, and how did you overcome it?
Cole (USA):
I remember a crucial playoff match back home where I conceded a soft goal early on. Mentally, it was tough—everyone was counting on me. I overcame it by focusing on the next save. I ended up making a game-saving stop later that helped turn it around. It was all about bouncing back.
Loup (Belgium):
For me, it was dealing with an injury last year. I had to sit out for weeks, and that was frustrating. I had to keep my mindset strong by watching a lot of film, studying other keepers, and coming back even sharper.
Interviewer: How do you handle the pressure of being the last line of defense during critical moments in a game?
Ruben (Canada):
I try to remember that mistakes happen, and it’s not the end of the world. That perspective keeps me relaxed. If I’m too tense, I can’t perform. I literally tell myself, “Enjoy the moment.”
Interviewer: How have you grown as a goalkeeper since joining the academy?
Cole (USA):
My technique has become more refined—better distribution with my feet, sharper reflexes. But more than that, I’ve developed leadership skills. The academy pushes you to communicate effectively and guide your defense.
Ruben (Canada):
I’ve become more consistent. I used to have great games followed by off days. Now, my baseline performance is higher, which I think comes from training under top coaches and being around talented teammates.
Interviewer: Who do you look up to in the world of goalkeeping, and why?
Loup (Belgium):
Thibaut Courtois, without a doubt. He’s tall, confident, and a big-game player. I study his positioning and mentality a lot. He’s proof that Belgian keepers can dominate on the world stage.
Ruben (Canada):
I like watching Manuel Neuer because of how he plays like a sweeper-keeper. It looks fun. It’s the freedom he has—he’s part of the build-up, not just stopping shots.
Cole (USA):
For me, I still look up to Tim Howard. His leadership and resilience were legendary. He showed that U.S. keepers could make it at the highest levels in Europe.
Interviewer: What’s the best advice you’ve received from a coach or teammate about being a goalkeeper?
Ruben (USA):
My coach back home once said, “You can’t let one mistake become two.” That stuck with me. It’s about shaking off errors and staying present.
Interviewer: That’s a great mindset. Goalkeeping is as much about mental resilience as it is about skill.
Before we wrap this up, I just want to ask—if you had to describe what being a goalkeeper means to you in one sentence, what would you say?
Loup (Belgium): It means being the difference between winning and losing, and I thrive on that responsibility.
Cole (USA): It’s about leadership, staying calm under pressure, and being ready for anything.
Ruben (Canada): For me, it’s about enjoying every moment, whether it’s making a big save or just being part of the team.
Interviewer: That’s a perfect way to end. Thanks, guys, for sharing your experiences and insights. It’s been great hearing how you each approach the game differently but still share the same passion for goalkeeping. See you again tomorrow morning for training!