A day with: Luka Eric

Matt Jones - Editor 09:30 16/09/2016
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  • Luka Eric.

    It’s been a whirlwind year for promising teenage footballer, Luka Eric. The diminutive midfielder was so impressive in the du Football Champions tournament, he made the squad selected to tour Spain, receiving coaching from some of the top La Liga academies and playing against some of the country’s best young sides.

    He then became one of just six players asked to join the du LaLiga High Performance Center in Dubai. There, players will be trained in close coordination with La Liga clubs with the chance of possibly earning a professional contract once they turn 18.

    Originally from Serbia, bases his game on Andrea Pirlo and Paul Scholes. He stands just 5’ 3” tall but is proof that big things come in small packages.

    How long have you lived in the UAE?

    My family is originally from Serbia but we’ve lived in the Emirates since I was two-years-old.

    We live in Motor City and I’m a pupil at Philadelphia Private School, in Dubai. We’ve lived here for four years but before that I had lived in Abu Dhabi since I was two.

    Why did you start playing and getting interested in football as opposed to any other sport as a kid?

    It was through my dad. I don’t really remember how I first started getting interested in the game, but I have seen old pictures of me as a kid in which I have a ball at my feet.

    I have a few memories of certain things but what I really remember is from when I was around 10 when I first started playing properly with my old school in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Grammar School. I played for an academy called Football for All. I also played for Abu Dhabi Country Club.

    Luka Eric 1 (Read-Only)

    Which team do you support and why?

    I’m a big Manchester United fan, although my dad is a big Red Star Belgrade fan, being from Serbia, so I also support them too. I support United because when I was younger they were winning everything and I would watch a lot of their games. I remember going out with my dad and his friends to watch the 2009 Champions League final against Barcelona. They lost 2-0 but it started from there.

    So who is your favourite Man United player, past or present?

    Paul Scholes. I base my game on him. I’m a midfielder so he’s the perfect player for me to base my game on. If you’re a midfielder then there is no-one better for you to look at for how to play. I really look up to him and try to copy his game. I’m maybe a bit more of an all-rounder than Scholes, but I’m small like him and like to keep the ball and pass to my team-mates. I’d like to think I’m a mix of him and Roy Keane. I’m only a small guy but I’m fast and like to create chances for others. I take the ball on but I can also defend – unlike Scholes. Aside from United players, I also look up to Andrea Pirlo too. Like Scholes, he’s an old, classic central midfielder. The wise players. That’s what really strikes me.

    Scholesy was always told he was too short to make it as a professional, so with you playing in the same position and being of similar stature, does that give you confidence you can succeed?

    Yeah. I’m only 5’ 3” so it could work out for me too, who knows. I’m not going to let that put me down. I look at it as an advantage. I’ve always played with older and bigger players too. My dad would take me to play with his friends, I never really used to play with kids my own age or younger. I think that got me used to the physical nature of the game. It gave me an advatntage and I got used to it pretty fast.

    Unlike Scholes I’ve never really been told I was too small. I’m quick and that’s always stood out.

    My size doesn’t really affect my game. The only issue is winning headers and aerial challenges but I’m fit and I don’t get knocked off the ball that easily

    Luka Eric 2 (Read-Only)

    What about younger players, who do you admire?

    Paul Pogba would be the perfect player to be now. His skills with ball, not just his fancy skills, are incredible. You can’t get the ball off him. He’s a ball winner too and his decisions are really good.

    You were one of several players selected from playing in the du Football Champions to go to Spain and train with La Liga club coaches. Tell us about that?

    We had trained for a month prior to going to Spain and then we were there for a 17-day tour. It was by far the best type of training

    I’ve ever experienced. It was high quality and high intensity, and I’ve really seen the developments from it. The other players have said similar things and I would definitely agree with them. It’s something that I’ve never experienced before.

    What was your favourite part of the Spain experience?

    I really remember how the team would gather together before the game, and that the team spirit was really high. The focus and concentration, all the important mental aspects of the game, we’d go through those moments. I think those were special moments for me, even emotional.

    How did you get selected for the squad to go to Spain?

    It was a normal tournament. I actually wanted to sign up with some friends from Motor City to play in the Schools Cup. That didn’t work out but then my school coach picked me. We all had the scouting thing in mind and fortunately I got selected. We went on to play in the top 60 then it got shortened down to 20. We trained for a month which was so nerve-wracking at times.

    Now you’ve been selected to join the du La Liga High Performance Center in Dubai, how does that make you feel?

    At first I didn’t believe it. I don’t look at myself as one of the best players. I’m confident in my ability but it really struck me when I was selected.

    What are your ambitions for the future?

    The last year has been like a breakthrough year for me where everything seemed to come together. I’m looking for this to be another breakthrough year and to make real progress. I’m going to train with the guys and I want us to get better as a team as well as get better as individuals. I want to go back to Spain next year for another tour and get better results. Ultimately, the dream would be to get picked for a team in Spain. That’s my ambition. A professional contract would be a dream come true. That would be the icing on the cake.

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