Teen from St David’s Marist Inanda will represent SA in Barcelona this April at the Copa Jordi Football Tournament

Alessandro Venditti of St David’s Marist Inanda has been chosen to represent South Africa in the Copa Jordi International Youth Football Tournament in Catalonia, Spain.

As captain, Venditti led his school team to the final of the Nedbank Grey College Soccer Tournament where victory was claimed.

Together with three other St David’s Marist Inanda players, 18-year-old Venditti was selected by Nedbank, along with other players from various school to join the team which would tackle the big guns in Spain.

“We’ve been doing a lot of fundraising and [have been] receiving donations from friends to enable Alessandro to play in this tournament,” said Venditti’s mother, Kirsten.

“We are very grateful because this is a big opportunity for him and the team – they’re phenomenal players.”

Venditti started his football career at the tender age of six at the Robertsham Football Club. “I moved over to Panorama at the age of nine and then played for the Crusaders for four years where I won best player three years in a row,” said Venditti.

He went on to receive a scholarship to study at St David’s Marist Inanda.

“At 14, I played for Brazilian soccer schools under coach Nick Aresti and from there was selected for the U17 Supersport United Academy team when I was 15.”

Venditti was selected for the Black Aces squad by coach Muhsin Ertegral. At the age of 16, this made the passionate football star the youngest player to ever be selected.

“This meant that I would have to leave school and play full-time soccer. However, my parents, teachers and principal encouraged me to finish school first.”

Venditti is not just a soccer star and is also an advocate for community development. “I hosted some motivational workshops for underprivileged children in Soweto last year.”

Kirsten and her family started an initiative at St David’s Marist Inanda and asked children and parents to donate unwanted sports equipment and soccer boots which could help those in need, while Venditti interacted with the children at various schools, impressing them with his fluency in Zulu.

With scouts flying out to Spain to eye out the talent, Venditti is excited in the hopes that this tournament could be the big break he has been working extremely hard for.

“If I could go tomorrow to play for an international team, I’d play for Manchester United,” Venditti said.

“So I hope to prove my talents in Barcelona. I have also been offered two US scholarships to study and play soccer in the USA, but my focus right now is Barcelona.”

Kirsten added, “We’ve got agents from all over the world coming to see him in Barcelona, so we’re praying he gets his big break there.”

Venditti and his team hope to bring the trophy back to South Africa. “With determination and belief in yourself, anything is possible,” concluded Alessandro.

Show your support for Alessandro Venditti and his team by posting your best wishes on the Rosebank Killarney Gazette Facebook page.