Brazilian football star Marcos Senna inspires young Filipino players

Marcos Senna

(Philstar.com / Ralph Villanueva)

MANILA, Philippines — For almost two decades, Marcos Senna made his presence felt inside the football field.

Now, 10 years since he last put on his football shoes, he is giving back to the sport, including young Filipino footballers.

Senna was in the Philippines in December as he graced the inaugural Villarreal 7s Filipinas Cup at the Ayala Vermosa football pitch.

There, the Brazilian-born midfielder, who was most known for his time with Villarreal Club and the Spanish national team, also shared his time, experience, and passion with young players during a special community visit in Binan.

In a recent media availability event, Senna underscored the importance of giving back to the sport, especially the young aspiring football players.

“He thinks that he's very grateful of everything that the football community has done to him along his career, so he's trying to give back in that sense, and be a part of the football community,” Senna said through Mar Llaneza, Villareal’s Business Development manager, who also served as his translator.

“And being in this kind of projects, getting involved in academy projects, grassroots, it's a way of giving back and assuring that the young players continue to develop, and setting an example for them,” he added.

The 49-year-old, who played for Villarreal from 2002 to 2013, underscored that young players being able to see his journey is a good thing as they try to reach for the sky.

“He thinks it’s good for the younger players that they can see his experience and his… how he played in the neighborhood and becoming a professional. Everything that he has, this background, he thinks it's helpful for young players to see him and get advice from this.”

But more than these, Senna stressed that players should have fun and find joy in playing the sport.

“The main lesson would be that they try to enjoy as much as possible. They will have many concerns in the future, when they are grown up, so now is the time to enjoy,” he said.

“Try to make the most of this experience. That they enjoy, they are creative, and they try to be the best in their position.”

Senna started his career back in 1997, as part of Rio Branco-SP. Afterwards, he suited up for Corinthians from 1999 to 2001 before stints with Juventude and Sao Caetano.

He spent 11 years with Villarreal before he played for the New York Cosmos from 2013 to 2015.

The midfielder also saw action internationally with Spain.

During the Filipinas Cup, which ran from December 13-14, local teams, as well as Villarreal teams from Brisbane and Sydney, also participated.