In this episode of ‘Hines on Air’, we delve into the life and career of Daniel Rios, an outstanding soccer player. Rios, started his carreer at a very young age and got to play with the most famous soccer team in Mexico, now is shinning as a striker on the Atlanta United team. He has an inspiring journey and a promising future. Join us on this interesting conversation!
Welcome back to another episode of Hines On Air! We have a fantastic show lined up for you today. Before we dive in, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane. About seven or eight years ago, professional soccer wasn’t a big thing in Atlanta. But everything changed in 2017 when Atlanta United was established. By 2018, they were number one in the league, capturing the hearts of the city and turning everyone into soccer fans.
Today, we are honored to have one of the stars of Atlanta United, Mr. Daniel Rios, with us. Daniel, welcome to the show!
Daniel: Thank you, thank you. I’m happy to be here.
Matthew: We’re humbled to have someone of your status join us. Let’s start from the beginning. You’re from Mexico, right?
Daniel: Yes, that’s correct.
Matthew: When did you start playing soccer?
Daniel: I started playing when I was eight years old. In the beginning, I wasn’t very serious about it. My mom often said I was more interested in picking flowers than playing soccer. But by the time I was 10 to 12 years old, I started getting more into it, especially playing with my brother. I joined the academy, and by 13, I moved from my hometown to Guadalajara to play for Chivas.
Matthew: There’s always a debate about natural talent versus hard work. When did you realize you were good at soccer?
Daniel: I always enjoyed playing and knew I was good. But I didn’t initially have the mindset of becoming a professional player. I just loved playing soccer. It wasn’t until I joined the Chivas academy that I started to think more seriously about my future in soccer.
Matthew: How old is your brother, and did he move with you to Guadalajara?
Daniel: He’s two years older than me. Yes, we both made the tryouts for Chivas and moved together. We lived in the same room with about 70 other kids.
Matthew: That must have been quite an experience. What was your typical day like in the academy?
Daniel: We would wake up at 7:00 AM, have breakfast, and train from 8:30 to 10:30. After training, we went to a special school created by the owner of Chivas from 12:00 PM to around 4:00 or 5:00 PM. Some days, especially weekends, we would train again in the evening.
Matthew: Growing up in Mexico, did the presence of cartels impact your journey in any way?
Daniel: Not at all. While the cartel situation is real, it’s not as pervasive as it’s often portrayed. I never encountered any issues related to that. My experience was very positive.
Matthew: That’s good to hear. How did your journey progress after joining Chivas?
Daniel: At 18, I finished high school and went full-time into soccer. I chose to attend college as well, studying Business Administration. Balancing both was challenging, but I managed to graduate.
Matthew: What was it like being part of the Mexican National Team?
Daniel: It was an amazing experience. I got called up to the U17 National Team, and from there, I played for various age groups up to U21. Traveling the world and playing against the best players was incredible.
Matthew: How does the transition from academy to professional work?
Daniel: It’s different from the US. In Mexico, you’re already living at the club, so transitioning to the first division can happen at any time based on performance. It could be at 17 or even 28.
Matthew: When did you first come to the US?
Daniel: I came to the US after playing two years in Mexico’s first division. My first team here was Nashville, then I moved to Charlotte, went back to Mexico for a bit, and now I’m with Atlanta United.
Matthew: What’s it like playing for Atlanta United?
Daniel: It’s amazing. The club is one of the top in the US, with fantastic facilities, an incredible city, and the best fans. The stadium is always impressive and full of energy.
Matthew: Any challenging moments in your career that you had to overcome?
Daniel: Definitely. The mental aspect of the game is huge. Keeping your confidence high, even when things aren’t going well, is crucial. Mental strength is essential in sports.
Matthew: That’s true for many aspects of life. It’s great to hear your perspective.
Daniel: Thank you. I’m happy to share my journey and experiences.
Matthew: It’s been an absolute pleasure having you on the show, Daniel. Welcome to Atlanta, and we wish you all the best. We’ll be cheering for you at your next game.
Daniel: Thank you, Matt. I’m happy to be here and talk with you.
Matthew: Alright, everyone, thank you for joining us for another episode of Hines On Air. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the podcast and like this episode. We look forward to seeing you next time.