Arsenal youngster Alexei Rojas has detailed the four clubs who rejected him in his career before joining the Gunners in 2019.
El Tiempo has today an interview with the 20-year-old In which he talks about rejections from Chelsea, Norwich City, Watford and Crystal Palace in his early career.
Chelsea, Norwich, Watford and Crystal Palace
Rojas has been at Arsenal since 2019, when he joined their youth team on a free transfer from Chelsea's youth setup.
He has since risen through the ranks, playing for the Emirates U18 and U21 teams over the past seven years. However, these moves came after rejection from clubs around England.
"I believed I was good, I had talent, yet I faced constant rejection," He said.
"Chelsea, Norwich City, Watford, Crystal Palace... everyone said no. And at that point, you start to doubt yourself. You wonder if you really have what it takes. But it was also a time that taught me a lot.
"First and foremost: the value of family. My parents and my brother never stopped believing in me. Even when I doubted myself, they didn't. And that's what keeps you going. And secondly, it lies in understanding that things don't always come when you want them.
"Today, I look at it this way: These "no's" were necessary for my growth, so that I could be ready when the right opportunity came."
arsenal lesson
Alexi Rojas may have learned a lesson from his rejections, but he was also taught a valuable lesson by the scout who took him to Arsenal.
He had spotted the young player and was keen, seeing the goalkeeper eventually reach the Gunners youth set-up. But they provided Rosa with a valuable lesson before she signed up.
"The scout who watched me told me that he watched me not only during difficult matches, but also during a very easy match, a game we won 10-0," He added.
"He wanted to observe my concentration, my attitude, to see if I push myself as hard as I do, if I respect the game. He also observed me during a very tight match.
"It taught me something important: you have to perform at the same level in any context. Consistency is what really makes the difference."
It is now up to Alexei Rojas to prove that the scout was right, and that Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Watford and Norwich City were wrong.
