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Soccer has always been Luca Almeida’s escape. When things weren’t easy at home in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, he would go play soccer and get away from it.
“Playing soccer has always made me feel happy and free,” Almeida said. “I love to play it, I love to watch it.”
Almeida’s relationship with the beautiful game will continue on at least a little bit longer. The PSA senior recently signed his Letter of Intent to play next year with NAIA school Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.
“The first reason I chose there is because it is a good school. I’m going to study criminal justice and they have a really good program,” Almeida said. “The other big reason was the coach. He seemed really interested and was always calling me and sending messages to see how it was going. He said from the beginning that his plan was for me to come and start playing as a freshman. I figured that would be the best thing for me to come in and start playing.”
Almeida, 19, has yet to play in PSA’s first two games of this season as he recovers from an injury. Last season, in 2019, he was the second-leading scorer on the Second Team, finishing with nine goals in 11 games.
“I’ve played soccer my whole life, since the beginning,” he said. “When I was 13, I was the top scorer in my state and playing against the best teams. I was signed to a Division I club in Brazil. Everybody has really big expectations for me so I was always conscious that something good like playing in college would happen.”
Almeida, a center attacking midfielder, did say that he feels like his game leveled off quite a bit the last three years or so, mostly because he has faced players who are physically stronger. So he is looking forward to diving into a workout plan in college so that he can grow on the field again too. And then he can do what he loves the most on the pitch, which is dribbling.
“I like to – not humiliate the other players – but I like to make them angry when I have the ball,” he said with a laugh.
Said PSA coach Ryan Dunnigan: “Luca is a two-footed player. He has the ability to play multiple positions very well, making him very versatile as a player. And he has a very good soccer IQ as well. He’s worked hard and gotten fitter since he’s been on campus.”
Graceland went 6-6-1 while playing in the Fall of 2020. The Yellowjackets are continuing their season now in the Spring as well.
“They are a good team,” Almeida said. “But I think they are missing a midfielder. All the other attack midfielders graduated, so they needed a Number 10 and that’s the role I’m looking to fill.”
Once he graduates from PSA in May, he will return to Brazil for the summer, then make his way to Iowa. While he is home, he will celebrate the good fortune with friends and family.
“There were a lot of different feelings,” he said. “I’m proud that I was able to get a good scholarship and the coach is interested in me coming to play for him. I’m excited to go and keep playing. And I’m thankful for all the people who have helped me.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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