Raising An International Soccer Star (Part 2)

This post is a continuation of our interview with Alina, who is the mother of Watford FC Academy star and U14 Romanian national team invitee Mark Baldovinescu. You can see the read the first part of the interview here.

Do you or your husband ever get involved in any of Mark's personal training, mental training or diet?  If so, what are those processes like?

Yes, we have always been involved in Mark’s everything. It comes naturally to look after everything like any other need a child may have. We are constantly looking to make sure he is always engaged with us regarding everything he does – schoolwork or soccer related. Just making sure we keep track of everything together with him. As he has grown and became more competitive, we have had to make sure he receives extra support all around to make sure he maintains his performance level but also keep him going through the different phases of his journey.   

Mark controls a ball in the air while trialing for Spanish clubs

What sacrifices have you seen Mark make thus far in order for him to reach his maximum potential?

After family, soccer for Mark is everything. He is always happily and fully committed to his trainings and matches. He has never seen it as a sacrifice. A couple of years ago, he came to me one day and told me “Mum, you know what I realized? I am one of the 20 players at my club from the whole world! That is something! Don’t you think I am privileged to be one of these boys?!”

Just recently, after starting middle school, school has become busier with homework and requirements, and as a result he has expressed the need for more hours in a day as he has no time left for himself to do what other children do in their spare time after school.

Although he has many friends at school, from soccer, and from our community like family friends and church friends, two years back he mentioned one day that he doesn’t have a “best friend.” 

In moments like these you have to be the best parent you can be and I reassured him that he is an amazing person and that lots of children would love to be his best friend, but forming a best friend relationship requires time to maintain it and because his soccer takes up almost all of his free time, he is unable to dedicate enough time to a best friend in order for that relationship to settle. 

I explained to him that his friends would want to be in his position rather than just having to kill time after school every day. I shared that he has his whole life ahead to make a best friend, and that he will. I also reminded him of all the friends he does have on the team, at school and in our community. After that conversation, he agreed, started to see things differently, and most importantly started to be more happy with himself. 

Another “sacrifice” he makes or “effort”, better said, is everything he needs to accomplish in the car to and from practice every day.  From doing his homework, to eating his lunch and dinner, to changing his clothes. It’s almost like living in the car.

It’s very tiring, some days/weeks are exhausting, and it becomes harder and harder and more emotionally and mentally challenging, but we wouldn’t stop or change it for anything! Thank God he keeps us busy with a good purpose, which not only helps him grow healthy and disciplined, but he is involved in something meaningful that keeps him away from bad influences. 

We also thank God, because not only does Mark have football talent, he is also responsible and hard-working at school which has earned him a spot in an exceptional private school with a significant sports scholarship and an academic grant.  So, the sacrifices he has made have in return blessed him thus far.  

 What sacrifices have you had to make so far to be available for Mark and his career whenever necessary?

Apart from work, our times revolve around Mark’s football - driving him to practices straight from school, preparing his before and after practice/match appropriate meals, making sure his soccer stuff is always clean and in the car, watching every training and match, preparing his baths, traveling after him around UK and abroad, organizing and attending his private 1 to 1 training sessions and friendly matches, etc. So, all our time has been dedicated to his soccer and although it could be called a “sacrifice”, we carry on remaining involved 100% with great pleasure and satisfaction in everything we do for the sake of our son’s passion. 

Could you share your proudest moment to date with Mark's playing career? (Any photo here of Mark playing would be great!)

Being naturally left-footed as a shorter player with specific soccer skills, Mark has been associated with Messi since the moment he began to get scouted.  He has consistently been called “Mark Messi” by everyone around us including his coaches up until today. But there isn’t just any one moment that has made us proud of him. There are many times when we see his mental strength, his emotional and physical resilience, his determination, his courage, his perseverance, and his commitment to playing like a pro from such an early age that makes us feel very proud of him every day on his soccer journey.  

Mark gets in a position to shoot during his trials for Spanish clubs

Where is Mark currently playing, and what are your thoughts on his current situation?

Around 2022-2023, the trend around English youth soccer began to heavily lean towards physical/athletic players and Mark wanted to make a move to a club that would still appreciate him being a short/technical player.  From all the club offers he received in the UK, we decided to stay local this time and selected Watford FC.

He has been warmly welcomed, and very much appreciated all around the organization. This move has motivated him even more and has turned him into a stronger, more resilient fighting young man.  As parents we are very proud of his mental, emotional and physical resilience, and we continue to support him and trust him fully on this amazing journey.

Soccer as a journey is very unpredictable, and there are times when the unexpected happens, but no matter what or when or where, we remind ourselves that a rejection is a redirection and nothing more.  We just have to keep on following and supporting our child’s dreams until he reaches the stars waiting for him! It has been a fantastic journey with ups and downs which we would not change for anything even if we were granted a chance at a do-over.

Mark drops a defender as he pushes towards the opponent’s net while playing for Watford

 What recommendation would you have to other parents looking to raise star athletes?

Don’t look into the future to try to see where you think this may take you and your child. Just put 100% focus in every present day to getting stronger, wiser and working harder. Don’t lose faith and trust, even if at times it may not look as promising as other times.  Keep believing in your children and make sure they always believe in themselves while fighting every day for success and for the dream to come true. GOD BLESS!