2 months ago
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FORMER NATIONAL under-20 player Kobi Thomas had been holding his own for the last few seasons, playing for Inter Miami II in the MLS Next Pro League, and had his sights set on playing in the MSL very soon. However, that all changed towards the end of last year.
In December, the 19-year-old, becoming more and more dissatisfied with his progress in Miami, decided to leave the MLS club and join the youth team of Alcione Milano in Italy.
Thomas said being a part of the Inter Miami set-up, the club of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, was huge, as it gave him exposure to high-level football and a chance to learn from the best.
Despite getting many opportunities with the MLS Next Pro team, Thomas believed things had stagnated for him and said the move to Italy helped him continue his development.
“The inter Miami experience helped me grow a lot on and off the field,” Thomas told The Gleaner.
“It was the first club I had built a home at and I got a lot of opportunities to showcase myself throughout the five years from training with the first team, Jamaica national (u20) team call- up, playing in big tournaments across the USA. It was a blessing being in my hometown and playing for a top MLS club.
“I made the move to Italy because I felt stuck both in football and in life, and I needed something new to challenge myself, to grow in different ways, and there were opportunities there that weren’t in Miami,” he said.
So far, Thomas is achieving the goals of tempering himself in harsher environments.
“In European football they have a much greater passion and winning mentality. The speed of the game is a lot faster and it’s a lot more physical. But being an American player everywhere you go, you have all the eyes on you. So my time in Milano for the past eight months has been nothing but blessings,” he said.
Although it took some time for him to get acclimatised to his new environment, he is now fully settled and believes he has been on top of his game.
“Both the challenges and good moments I’m very grateful for. On the field, it was difficult at first, but my teammates welcomed me and helped me settle in, which helped me to perform really well and to help the team.
“Off the field, it was definitely hard to get used to. I had to make a new home, friends, new food, and the vibes are just very different. But I had a routine that kept me going and I took it day by day, trusting in the Lord,” he said.
Though not putting too much pressure on himself, Thomas is now looking to build on the progress he has made in Italy and is hoping to make the breakthrough into one of Europe’s top leagues.
“I don’t have any expectations. I want to be in a place where I can grow as a footballer. I am content with whatever the Lord has in store.
“I don’t put time limits on anything. I control what I can control and I will take it day by day. But I don’t look too far ahead because I am focus on being present,” he added.
English (US) ·