We just wrapped up our 2026 Elite Summer Program, and the impact we witnessed was incredible.

This past month was filled with energy, growth, and meaningful progress. Our players arrived in Madrid wide-eyed and eager to embrace a new challenge, and they concluded our program having achieved remarkable development during their stay here in Spain.

From our very first training session to the last day of training, our MESA players immersed themselves in Spanish football: training with clarity, competing with intensity, and growing into more complete players every day.

They fully lived up to the demands of the professional training environment we simulate here in Madrid. With the help of our UEFA Pro coaches, our players learned what it truly means to train the Spanish Way—the methodology that has shaped the best in the game.

We kicked off the summer with a Performance Test, giving our coaching staff a clear benchmark for every player. This test helped us measure individual progress throughout the program and provided concrete data to track each player's development.

During our morning and afternoon sessions, players participated in thoughtfully designed drills rooted in the Spanish methodology. Players took on our 100 Game Test, a high-tempo passing challenge that requires completing 100 consecutive passes under constant pressure. The exercise improved their focus, decision-making, and competitiveness.

We had 4-versus-4 drills to train players to attack quickly while finishing team plays with purpose. We had a sit-down session in which players participated in a Game Plan Challenge. Here, they had to analyze the opponent’s game plan, develop a counter-strategy by sharing their ideas, and explain how they would execute it on the field.

Our girls team competed in a friendly match against the Euro Soccer Select Team. They played with confidence, created opportunities, and displayed great teamwork throughout the game. Meanwhile, our boys team played against Madrid Soccer Revolution—in a match filled with competitive energy, unforgettable moments, and great teamwork. 

MESA players visited the training grounds of AD Sporting Hortaleza, where they participated in a competitive friendly that further immersed them in local-level play.

“The friendly games are very important parts of player development. They’re the only way to replicate the challenges that the players will face,” shared Xavi Vázquez, MESA Sporting Director. These friendlies are prime opportunities for our coaches to measure how players react in real game situations. Our players are given the chance to show what they’ve learned in an exciting yet challenging setting.

Off the pitch, our soccer-specific gym sessions taught players about how mobility and core strength provide the foundation for better movement, stability, and performance.

From intense twice-daily training and soccer-focused gym sessions to competitive matches against local opposition, the impact we've seen in such a short time has been remarkable.

A summer in Madrid would not be complete without seeing its most famous sights. We toured our players around the city’s most exciting spots, such as the Museo Del Prado—which houses some of the finest art in European history—and the Plaza de Cibeles, known among soccer fans as Real Madrid’s place of celebration after major trophy victories. 

We also toured the stadiums of Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, giving our players a glimpse inside some of the best football clubs in the world. Our players experienced everyday life in Madrid—one of the world's great football cities. Here, they immersed themselves in the culture that has shaped world-class soccer players.

Our staff worked closely with every player, providing personalized feedback while reinforcing the concepts that define football in Spain. Our goal this summer was consistent with MESA’s full season program: to develop intelligent, modern soccer players capable of performing at a higher level.

This summer was a glimpse of the top-notch training we have here at MESA. A preview of our full-season program, our Elite Summer Program provided a look at the pro soccer academy ready to welcome hardworking and determined young players.

Elevate your game and join the best football academy in Spain. Learn more about MESA’s long- and short-term programs today.

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