Karlton Athletic
SILVER
13, almost 14. If we did it, the whole family wouldn't go though... I can work remote and have friends there who might be able to hook me up with accommodation, so we can keep the cost down on that side.
La Liga Select Scouts
- Thread starter Karlton Athletic
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Well, if you know it's a money grab but want the experience for your kid because you can swing it, I'd consider it. I had the chance to go play in England with a travel team when I was 16 and my parents wouldn't do it. Even when we planned to have fundraisers, etc. $1,500 at the time.
Don't think I ever forgot that... because they had the means. I might not have appreciated it back then but... I haven't ever forgotten it.
Karlton Athletic
SILVER
I played a tournament in the Italian Alps (grew up in UK). It was an amazing experience.
RedCard
GOLD
Not sure what the price was since my wife took care of that (which scares me a bit...) but that's why we didn't go with our son...that would be way too much money for us. But great experience for him for sure. Glad we did it.$3195 per player + flight = roughly $4000 for the player
$1149 per family member + flight = $2000 -> x3 if family of 4 = $6000 for 3 family members -> add hotel $200/night x 9 nights = $1800ish
So $12,000 ish for a family of 4 plus food?
so padding a little extra, total out the door price of $15,000 or so for a family of 4 sound about right?
I think the player fee is whatever. They're getting a real cool experience. Boarding and food included.
But I think the expensive part is the family cost... Access to training sessions + tickets to stuff ain't worth $1000...
That said, I won't call anything a money grab... cause it all depends on a family's wants and desires and financial priority... it's a cool ass trip...
If you can afford it, why not go and consider it as a really nice vacation...
(and if you find out where you can sell a kidney to finance this, let me know.. I might need that number too!
Had to find this thread... my kid got "scouted" at the Socal Cup this weekend. I gave them my contact info, and supposedly they are going to send me info on the program, but seemed like the guy there was going around, picking out a few kids from every team, and collecting into for the "exclusive" offer (to pay money and go train in Spain).
Here's the thing, though: my kid isn't even on the top level team for his club (ie: implicitly, there are ~20 kids in the same club who are all better than he is, not even counting all the other higher level teams). I seriously doubt their scout is seeing something that all the other coached are not, when looking at the second tier teams. It seems like maybe they are just picking kids who are more physical and unafraid, rather than those that have more actual skill (my guess), and just picking a few from each team there.
Still, I don't mean to poop on the program or anything; I'm sure it's a cool opportunity if your kid is into it and you can afford it. There's little chance that we will do it (at this rate, my son may not even be playing soccer next year, since he keeps getting passed by for moving up within his club), but I'm sure it'll be a cool experience for some of the kids. Just needed to post here, cause he got solicited for this program, and I remembered the thread.
TheMountie
BRONZE
I wouldn’t be surprised if the person "selecting" kids is receiving a commission for every child they convince to pay $3,500 or more.
As mentioned multiple times in this thread, if a professional club is genuinely interested in your child, they would offer a trial with their academy, and you wouldn't be expected to cover travel or accommodation costs. Many of these programs, like La Liga Select, aren't even officially affiliated with La Liga. They simply pay a premium to use the league/club's name/license. These programs are essentially the same as Liverpool International, Manchester City Soccer Academy USA, and Barcelona or Real Madrid summer camps. They often target uninformed parents. I nearly fell for it myself when Galaxy Orange County came to town 4 years ago. It would be helpful if they were more transparent about the fact that these are "experiences," not legitimate scouting opportunities.
Even if I had $4,000 to spare, I’d rather spend it on a two-week family vacation at a resort.
As mentioned multiple times in this thread, if a professional club is genuinely interested in your child, they would offer a trial with their academy, and you wouldn't be expected to cover travel or accommodation costs. Many of these programs, like La Liga Select, aren't even officially affiliated with La Liga. They simply pay a premium to use the league/club's name/license. These programs are essentially the same as Liverpool International, Manchester City Soccer Academy USA, and Barcelona or Real Madrid summer camps. They often target uninformed parents. I nearly fell for it myself when Galaxy Orange County came to town 4 years ago. It would be helpful if they were more transparent about the fact that these are "experiences," not legitimate scouting opportunities.
Even if I had $4,000 to spare, I’d rather spend it on a two-week family vacation at a resort.
Agree with everything, except that I think it is officially affiliated in some way (or at least that's what the site claims). Apparently they select something around the top 1% of the paying kids to go back and do an actually free training program, so it's not entirely a money grab, just mostly.
As others have said, depending on the family's specific financial situation, it could be a reasonable value. For example, I talked to another parent who's kid was "scouted" (there were two from my son's team, and a couple others within the club), and he was saying it might be cool, as an experience for his kid. I know a couple other parents on the team who sent their kids to similar programs last year (just pay-to-go European academy training programs). I think for people for whom $10k is a trivial amount of money, it might be a desirable opportunity (and conversely, the program is almost certainly looking for kids from those types of families).
There's almost no chance we will do it (as noted); $10k is not a trivial amount of money to me. But I'm not going to begrudge the people for whom it's viable and reasonable either.
Buddy of mines G2010 kid is going next month to Spain for La Liga academy. All travel paid for her and her mom by the scout. This was at one of those McDonald’s camps that was affiliated with La Liga. She was the top performer at the free clinic / ID camp.
TheMountie
BRONZE
I under there's always a 1% chance of being scouted at these events, but it's a lot of money to pay for just that small chance. I actually received back-to-back texts saying my son had been selected for LaLiga after we played at State Cup few weekends ago, the way they texted it look like complete spam. Anyone can register for these events, regardless of whether they've actually been 'selected.' A friend from high school had her kid supposedly 'selected' and made a huge deal out of it. I tried to explain politely how it works, but she insisted it was the real deal.
Karlton Athletic
SILVER
We went for it and just got back last night from an incredible week. Right off the bat, let me say if your kid's the next Lamine Yamal and you do this, he'll be spotted: the program is legit run by La Liga, with training by La Liga coaches, training sessions at Real Madrid, with Real Madrid coaches and training at Atletico with Atletico coaches, plus we played friendlies against the Rayo Vallecano and Atletico academies (and beat Atletico!).
But, your kid's not the next Lamine Yamal, so is worth if for the rest of us? Definitely, though don't sell a kidney to do it.
First, if it's a money grab, they're not grabbing much money. The cheapest you can do this is to send your kid unaccompanied (which some did) for $3k, plus flights. That $3k covered a lot: transport to and from airport, all accommodation, food, drinks and travel. Each team gets a chaperone, a La Liga coach, plus a shared physio (there's also chaperones for families). Each player also gets multiple kits: travel, training, game, Real training and Atletico training, backpack and puffer jacket. They also include tours of the Santiago Bernabeu and Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadiums, plus tickets to an Atletico Madrid game and to a Leganes game, and it was all organized very professionally.
Though I have questions in how players are scouted, the standard of soccer was good too (though not necessarily the very best of the best), with players from all over the US, Mexico and even Guam, but our La Liga coach was great, and we even pulled off a famous, backs against the wall win against the Atletico Madrid academy (lost the first two friendlies though).
But while soccer was the main concern, just hanging out with your kid during free time and exploring Madrid was worth the cost in itself. Priceless really. We built some real lifelong memories.
Downsides? Well, they initially said the kids would be staying at a residential sports school (ESC LaLiga), but that fell through shortly before the trip (which seemed a little bait and switchy at the time) and they moved the accommodation to a hostel in Madrid center. At the school, the kids would have had free reign, but because the hostel was public, the chaperones had to be with the kids all the time, which was a little constricting.
The flip side though was that the hostel was central (and the school wasn't) meaning we parents could pick up the kids during free time and go explore, which was actually one of the best parts of the trip.
Another downside was that Real Madrid and La Liga aren't best of friends right now (due to Real's complaints over referee bias), so Real were playing hard ball of over a few things, meaning parents couldn't attend the Real training, for example. Atletico, on the other hand, went above and beyond to make us all feel welcome.
But, overall, it was worth every penny. If you're kid loves soccer, it's a dream vacation, plus you get to hang out in Madrid, which is a beautiful, vibrant city with great food. And each kid gets an individual evaluation, with one or two lucky ones getting an all expenses paid invite to come back and spend a week on trial at a La Liga club (they'll hear back in a couple of weeks).
Don't put yourself into debt thinking this is chance your kid will be spotted by Real Madrid (next Lamine Yamal excluded), but for us, it was absolutely the right decision to go.
But, your kid's not the next Lamine Yamal, so is worth if for the rest of us? Definitely, though don't sell a kidney to do it.
First, if it's a money grab, they're not grabbing much money. The cheapest you can do this is to send your kid unaccompanied (which some did) for $3k, plus flights. That $3k covered a lot: transport to and from airport, all accommodation, food, drinks and travel. Each team gets a chaperone, a La Liga coach, plus a shared physio (there's also chaperones for families). Each player also gets multiple kits: travel, training, game, Real training and Atletico training, backpack and puffer jacket. They also include tours of the Santiago Bernabeu and Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadiums, plus tickets to an Atletico Madrid game and to a Leganes game, and it was all organized very professionally.
Though I have questions in how players are scouted, the standard of soccer was good too (though not necessarily the very best of the best), with players from all over the US, Mexico and even Guam, but our La Liga coach was great, and we even pulled off a famous, backs against the wall win against the Atletico Madrid academy (lost the first two friendlies though).
But while soccer was the main concern, just hanging out with your kid during free time and exploring Madrid was worth the cost in itself. Priceless really. We built some real lifelong memories.
Downsides? Well, they initially said the kids would be staying at a residential sports school (ESC LaLiga), but that fell through shortly before the trip (which seemed a little bait and switchy at the time) and they moved the accommodation to a hostel in Madrid center. At the school, the kids would have had free reign, but because the hostel was public, the chaperones had to be with the kids all the time, which was a little constricting.
The flip side though was that the hostel was central (and the school wasn't) meaning we parents could pick up the kids during free time and go explore, which was actually one of the best parts of the trip.
Another downside was that Real Madrid and La Liga aren't best of friends right now (due to Real's complaints over referee bias), so Real were playing hard ball of over a few things, meaning parents couldn't attend the Real training, for example. Atletico, on the other hand, went above and beyond to make us all feel welcome.
But, overall, it was worth every penny. If you're kid loves soccer, it's a dream vacation, plus you get to hang out in Madrid, which is a beautiful, vibrant city with great food. And each kid gets an individual evaluation, with one or two lucky ones getting an all expenses paid invite to come back and spend a week on trial at a La Liga club (they'll hear back in a couple of weeks).
Don't put yourself into debt thinking this is chance your kid will be spotted by Real Madrid (next Lamine Yamal excluded), but for us, it was absolutely the right decision to go.
I am genuinely happy you had a great experience.
Part of what put me off for it, personally (in addition to the cost, obviously), is that my kid is not that "into" soccer, and while I think it could be a fun and memorable trip, I don't know that it would be that much better for him than just a general Europe trip. But it sounds like your approach was perfect: if it's not a financial burden, and you think it would be a cool experience for your kid, then by all means strongly consider it.
My guess is if there's a Lamine Yamal in the US... he's already known by every top club in the world...
He'd for sure already be playing 2-3 years up in the closest MLS academy... and killing the competition...
hard to go unnoticed...
Sounds like a fun time.
A bunch of SoCal clubs send their U12 or U13 teams (some older) to Costa Brava (an hour from Barcelona) for the MIC every spring, no?
TFA, Strikers, Reds, Legends, Pats...
My brother just went with my nephew. Said it was a fun time. Package was around what you mentioned at ~$3000 (hotel, food, transportation, a game, a tour, kits).
Some clubs offer the minimum package which is like $900 that covers just hotel and food (not every meal).
Futsal teams also travel to Spain a lot for tournaments.
I agree it's not a "huge money grab" but if the margin is $500 and if 800 players attended, it's $400,000 and due to buying power, $400,000 USD is a lot of money in Spain... So they're certainly making money off it...
But it's a fun trip with the family. Detour in Italy, France, or England prior or after the tournament... spend a couple of weeks in Europe... $15,000-$20,000 for a lifetime of memories
Karlton Athletic
SILVER
We played three Spanish academies, including 2 from "Primera División" (Rayo and Atletico), and while Rayo were the best youth team I'd ever seen, my big takeaway was that the individual talent wasn't levels better than our own team's. Maybe they have some amazing players already playing up, but there wasn't any truly dominant player on the field against us.
I should say my other big takeaway was that the American kids were physically a lot bigger (which the Spanish parents commented on), but that it doesn't really matter if you can't get the ball back. In fact, it was noticeable that all 3 Spanish teams had their smallest players in defense, the reverse of our team. Our Spanish coach specifically set the team up to try and force the local teams into playing long ball, to play to our physical advantages, but it didn't really work. For our one win, which was our last game (so the boys had gelled a bit), we managed to out "tiki-taka" them in the first half, which was great to see. The 2nd half was backs against the wall defense with our keeper having the game of his life, but we won 2-1.
If you aren't going to long ball it to the back line (so your strikers are in an aerial duel with the backs and if they lose that aerial duel it's now a 1v1 with the keeper) you don't need tall kids on the back. That's the main reason for having tall people on your back line. Because having it go over the back line is the kiss of death since even the best keepers at the highest levels have only a 50% or so save rate on a 1v1. So they stuck with tiki taka instead of trying to throw it over? Interesting they don't introduce the tactic yet. Age 13/14 right? Maybe a little before the age boys can get it there or conscious choice not to do it???
Karlton Athletic
SILVER
Yes, age 14. They could have gone long if they wanted to. They were hitting long cross field balls sometimes, but just never over the top of our defense, probably knowing that our boys were bigger and faster. Most of their attacks came from quick passes around the sides of the area.
My son was invited to one of these programs too, and honestly, we were skeptical at first. It sounded amazing, train in Spain, visit top stadiums, get coached by "La Liga professionals", but when they started listing out all the fees, we realized it was going to cost us thousands. We passed because while he would’ve loved the experience, there wasn’t a realistic path to actually being scouted unless you're already borderline elite and have citizenship or other pathways lined up.
Also, if your kid's really into soccer, another thing that’s worked for us is taking him to games whenever possible so he can see the pro environment firsthand. For those moments, I usually check for seats on this ticket site where prices vary, so sometimes you get lucky with deals.