Paulino Alcántara is undoubtedly one of the best Filipino soccer players ever. With the introduction of the new Professional Football League shaking things up, can the next Alcántara be discovered?
Paulino Alcántara is a half-Filipino, half Spanish born football hero, who is one of the best players ever to wear a Barcelona jersey.
The Iloilo-born net breaker set the goal scoring record in FC Barcelona history, after scoring 369 goals in 357 games. This is a record that stood for many years, until it was broken by modern day superstar Lionel Messi. He also holds the record for being the youngest player to ever score for FC Barcelona in an official match, at the age of 15.
With the influx of half Filipinos playing on the Philippine National team and in the newly formed Professional Football League (PFL), there is a lot of buzz that a new Alcántara will be found.
Courtesy Pnoy Apparel
However, the truth is that the new Alcántara will not be found abroad.
At this period of time, world-class Filipinos playing abroad will surely not be ready to represent the motherland because of two things: the competitive edge and the financial reward they will have by playing overseas.
The Philippines will definitely find the new Alcántara at home as football authorities have started to pay more attention to youth development.
The two summer youth football leagues (YFL and NCR) are over, but were there new possible Alcántara’s scouted during this period?
The answer is, possibly.
Shane Clemente, a young talented Filipino footballer who has already experienced play ay Wembley and Old Trafford has been quoted saying:
I want to play at FC Barcelona because that’s where Alcántara played. He was known for breaking the net and I’m going to be known for breaking the net and the goalpost.
This is one of the many talented young players at home that should be in the development center under the watchful eye of the Philippines Football Federation, and I look forward to meeting this young talent to discuss how far he has gone with his football development.
