Hungarian Soccer Player’s American University Studies and Sports Career

Balancing sports and education is a challenge for many, especially for those who wish to excel in both fields. In this article, we introduce the story of a young Hungarian soccer player, Szekeres Marcell who started in Budapest, lived in Norway, and eventually found a new home in the United States. During our conversation, he shared how he got into the world of football following in his father’s footsteps, why he chose an American sports scholarship, the challenges he faces as a student-athlete, and how he envisions his future career after earning his degree.

First, please tell us a little about where you were born and grew up and how you got into the world of soccer.

I was born in Budapest, but due to my father’s work, I lived in Norway for a long time. I got into the world of football because of my father, who was a member of the senior national team while playing in Norway, Belgium, and Hungary in the top division. I started playing football at the age of 7, inspired by him.

When and why did you decide to move to America?

I first heard about the American opportunity in 2018. I liked the idea of continuing both soccer and education at a high level after my high school years. It was also attractive to me that I could earn an American degree with the help of a sports scholarship.

Which university do you attend and what are you studying?

I am currently a student at Montreat College in North Carolina, studying sports management. I will finish my studies in May.

What is the biggest challenge for you as a student-athlete?

The biggest challenge as a student-athlete is managing my time properly, especially during the fall season, where I have to train and travel constantly in addition to playing two matches a week, without neglecting my school activities. These three months are extremely challenging, and every well-planned hour is important for getting through them.

How does the mentality/teaching of soccer differ in Hungary and the United States?

In America, more emphasis is placed on the physical aspects of soccer, with more training sessions in the gym compared to Hungary, where there are more tactical training sessions.

Which training method has worked better for you? In what area do you feel you have improved the most during university football?

Both training methods have their advantages and disadvantages, but personally, the American training method has better developed my physical abilities, which were already my strengths. Not only have I become stronger, but also faster, my endurance has improved significantly due to the intense match load, and I have had to make decisions faster due to the higher pace.

Being a competitive athlete and constantly performing well in training and competitions, while also maintaining your studies, cannot be easy. How do you balance your academic and athletic commitments? Do you have a strategy that has worked over the years?

If prioritization can be called a strategy, then it is very important. I try to prioritize my academic commitments during my free time and place a high emphasis on mental and physical recovery, as this is the only way I can succeed in both academics and football. Maintaining this balance is not always successful, but I strive for it.

More and more athletes, both university and professional, are speaking out about mental health and how they try to take care of their mental health as athletes. How does this look for you? Do you receive any support from the university?

The university provides support in terms of mental health by offering “mental health days” that you can take advantage of. Of course, it is mostly up to me to find the right balance to maintain my mental health. This means consciously managing my time so that I have time for studying/soccer, but also for other leisure activities.

You will graduate in May, what are your plans after graduation? Where do you envision your career?

After graduation, I plan to work in America for a year with the help of OPT, preferably in football, but I would also like to try myself in other sports.

What advice would you give to Hungarian high school soccer players who are considering going to America to play soccer in university?

I consider it very important to have a confident command of the English language before a Hungarian player aims to complete an American university. In everyday life, whether in the classroom, on the field, in the locker room, or outside of it, you will only communicate in English with others, so it is difficult to get by with limited English knowledge. Additionally, I think it is important for the student who wants to earn a degree in the USA to be mentally strong, as homesickness can take a toll on you in the first few months, and getting used to the cultural differences is not an easy task.

Finally, some rapid questions:

Burger or Rakott krumpli? Rakott krumpli

Cheesecake or Somlói galuska? Cheesecake

Peanut butter and jelly or Palacsinta? Palacsinta

Chicken fried steak or Chicken paprikash? Chicken paprikash

Mac and cheese or Túrós csusza? Túrós csusza

Lánchíd or Brooklyn Bridge? Lánchíd

Balaton vacation or Florida beaches? Florida beaches

Football (soccer) or American football? Football (soccer)

The “My America” blog series introduces several successful Hungarian athletes in America, click here and get to know them too!