Two boys 12,366 km apart, on two different continents, yet with the same passion. Alejandro in Korea and Moises in Miami were both building their path in the soccer world. What they didn’t imagine was that they would end up playing together in Colombia for the professional team Independiente Medellín. 

Alejo Molina, Class of ’23 moved to the U14 youth category of DIM (Deportivo Independiente Medellín) and since then he has progressed through the team’s youth categories. This year Molina is starting his fifth year on the team, and Moises Cuartas, Class of ’23 his third, both playing at U20, the last category before the professional team.

“I have been witnessing the personal and professional growth of Cuartas and Molina, which I like because through soccer they learn very important life values. From childhood, we are learning to work as a team, to have discipline, perseverance, and respect for the profession, for ourselves, and our rivals,” Former professional futbol player and Alejo’s father, Mao Molina, said. 

Cuartas’ life has been full of changes, living in two different countries, playing for 4 different teams, and finding focus on his sport. Ever since he was little soccer has been part of his life. When he turned 5, his mom signed him up for the school’s soccer team in Colombia. During those years, Cuartas started playing small tournaments against other schools, but when he turned 8, his life changed.

“If it weren’t for my talent, my life would be far from what it is today. So I owe 99% to my sport, which has formed me into who I am today. I’ve met extraordinary people and created lifelong friendships,” Cuartas said. 

His life took a turn when his mom and stepdad decided to move to Miami, however, all Cuartas thought about was the soccer team he would be joining. The academy Brazilian Soccer received him and allowed him to get into the travel team, after a few years of playing in local and state tournaments, the team’s owner decided to take them to Europe. 

Since then he has traveled around the world pursuing his passion and dreams, which opened his eyes and changed his perception of the world. After some years at Brazilian Soccer, he was recommended to join Weston Academy, a Miami local team.

“My talent has opened countless opportunities everywhere I go and has taken me around the world since a very young age. It has shaped me into an open-minded, social, cultured, and approachable person after discovering different customs and traditions that resulted in life-changing experiences,” Cuartas said. 

In Weston, he acquired fundamental abilities in life, such as socializing with new people from different countries. After playing for around two years in Weston, Cuartas transferred to his first professional team: Inter Miami. In this team, he got to travel to Asia and got his first glimpse into a professional soccer team. 

“Seeing my son grow up with the discipline of sports is the greatest gift that I received. They are children with freedom but with responsibility towards life, love, and respect. Soccer gave us more than friends but also gave us family,” Veronica Muñoz, Cuartas’ mother, said. 

In 2020 Cuartas and his family decided to move back to Medellín and since then, he has been part of Independiente Medellin, the second professional team he has played for. 

“It was a challenging time for me after moving countries; I had no friends and couldn’t play soccer due to quarantine. Thanks to my sport, meeting new people was easier than expected; my talent saved me by teaching me to easily incorporate into a team and make new friends.” Cuartas said.

Molina’s journey has been a whole different story, but just like Cuartas’, it has been full of changes. Although Molina had lived in other countries before, he started playing soccer in Korea when he was four years old at the youth divisions of the Seongnam professional team; since then soccer became part of him.

“For me, playing soccer has been the passion I have had since I was little, it is what entertains me and motivates me. My dad has always helped me and given me the bases for the sport because he knows the values ​​people learn in soccer,” Molina said.

In Korea, Molina got to play in different soccer positions such as the center back, midfielder, forward, winger, and even the goalkeeper. When he turned eight he started competing at Goal Club Academy where he started to settle as a midfielder.  on that team until he moved once again from countries. 

“My experience with soccer has been fulfilling, I had the opportunity to live in different countries and play in various teams thanks to my dad, from whom I learned that soccer is full of achievements and joys, but also challenges,” Molina said.

In 2016 Molina and his family moved back to Medellín and since then, he has played in two different teams. When he first arrived he played at Estudiantil for around 2 years.  Molina played U12 and U13 and participated in Liga Pony Fútbol, a tournament designated by FIFA and FCF for the management of amateur soccer in Colombia, and the Liga Antioqueña.

“I always liked Korea a lot, however, soccer in Colombia is very different. In Korea it is more passive, and what counts the most is tactics and technique. Here in Colombia it is a rougher game, with contact and clashes,” Molina said. 

Once Molina turned 14 he entered Independiente Medellin, the team in which he plays today. When he first joined he played as a midfielder and has become captain. He started in the U14 division and became champion of Liga Antioqueña de Fútbol, which is regarded as an entity that unites the department and the country around sports. 

Quarantine ended and training re-started, being then when Cuartas and Molina met each other at the soccer fields playing for Independiente Medellín. 

“I have known the Independiente Medellín club for many years, I know it well because I know the minor divisions and also the professional team. I have been accompanying the process of the minor divisions because my son plays there and Moi too and I have seen their personal and sporting growth,” Mao Molina said.

Over the last three years, Cuartas has been playing as a winger and Molina as a midfielder, they have dedicated themselves to their sport at DIM. In 2020-2021 they played at Juvenil, the next year at the 1C youth team, and this 2023 were moved to the U20 category; the last category before the professional team. 

“Cuartas and Molina complement each other a lot during the games because one is a great finisher of the move and the other is the passer. They are great friends on the soccer field and off it; they have an outstanding future,” Urbano Mesa, TCS soccer coach, said.