Leonardo Tapia is an exceptional young goalkeeper who despite facing the current global challenges of social distancing and quarantine, continues to train hard at his home in Mexico City for an eventual return to the game he loves.  

Earlier this year, Leonardo’s skills, potential, and professionalism caught the eye of Ho Sports, a leading provider of water sports equipment, who signed Leonardo to an endorsement deal.

Recently Leonardo's SMWW Agent Advisor, Paul Dolbey, spoke with Leo about what drives him to be the best! 

Paul Dolbey: What is the highlight of your career so far?  

Leonardo Tapia:  One of my favorite moments was being the starting keeper for the U17 final in Mexico, I played spectacularly, it was a great match and I feel so proud that we won and played very well as a team.

Dolbey: What has been the most challenging moment of your career? 

Tapia: When I was 15 years-old I rarely played and I was not in the best shape and it was a moment that Pumas talked about letting me go, That made me change a lot of things in my life and made me grow as a person.

Dolbey: Who has been your biggest inspiration in football so far? 

Tapia: There are three athletes that I admire, Gianluigui Buffon and Marc-André Ter Stegen, Bufffon was my motivation to be a goalkeeper.  The third one, Alysha Newman, does not play Soccer, but she always gives her best and inspires me to work hard is Alysha Newman. 

 Dolbey: Which teammate have you connected the best with? 

Tapia: Luis Lara because I have great punt deliveries and Lara is one of the fastest of the team so I can deliver balls for him at the back of the defenders.

Dolbey: What advice would you give yourself at 16? 

Tapia: Do not forget what you have learned in the past. Its lessons which forge the future, and with effort, all things come at the perfect moment. 

Dolbey: What are your career aspirations? 

Tapia: Grow as a professional player and as a person, be better than yesterday, inspire people to be better.

Dolbey: What is the hardest part of being a professional? 

Tapia: The temptations, being a professional athlete requires a lot of mental strength, there have been days that I want to give it all up, and those moments are the ones you need to be better and stronger.

Dolbey: How are you dealing with the quarantine? 

Tapia: I´m not having problems with the quarantine, because getting bored is a synonym for not knowing how to be with yourself.   I am trying to maintain my shape by going out to run at 6:30 when the city is empty until 8, then at my house I do bodyweight, trx and resistance bands workouts and last and more important I'm eating healthy.

Dolbey: What advice would you give to an upcoming player?   

Tapia: Always give more than your best because all others are giving their best, so to be different and successful you have to give more to get more and never be in a comfort zone. You must be physically strong, and also mentally strong.

Dolbey: Let’s finish up with something fun -- who are your favorite musical groups to train with? And to relax with?

Tapia: To train I like to listen to the Chainsmokers and Bugzy Malone. For relaxation, Ikson and Nymano - I Wish I Could Sleep. I’m not really a party guy, so I don’t really listen to party music,  I’d rather go out for a good meal with my friends. .  

Keep an eye on Leonardo Tapia as he continues to grow and face new challenges in his professional career.