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Most conversations around U.S. college sport are framed around teenagers. Davide Poledda’s story doesn’t fit that mould at all.
At 27, Davide made the decision to leave Europe and enter the U.S. college system, stepping into a team environment where most of his teammates were nearly a decade younger. There was no long runway, no years of preparation. The process moved quickly, and within months, he was enrolled, competing, and adapting to an entirely new way of life.
What stood out early in our conversation wasn’t the football. It was the mindset.
Davide spoke openly about the reality of arriving as the oldest player in the squad. The adjustment wasn’t physical, it was cultural. New routines. New expectations. Different standards. For the first time in his career, minutes weren’t guaranteed. Training performances mattered as much as games. Competition existed every day, not just on weekends.
That shift forced growth.
In the U.S. system, Davide experienced a training load he hadn’t encountered before. Four to five sessions per week. Gym work built into the schedule. Matches often twice a week. The compounding effect was obvious. Development accelerated, not just as a player, but as a professional.
Off the pitch, the demands were just as real. Being a full-time student and a full-time athlete required structure, discipline, and planning. Bus rides became study time. Recovery became non-negotiable. Support systems, from athletic trainers to professors, played a bigger role than he expected.
Injuries tested him further. Rehabilitation wasn’t rushed. The focus was on returning properly, not quickly. Access to daily treatment, performance staff, and facilities changed how he viewed long-term health and sustainability in sport.
But perhaps the most powerful part of Davide’s story was perspective.
Starting late didn’t close doors. It opened different ones.
Leadership came naturally. Life experience mattered. Relationships formed quickly, not just within the team, but across cultures. Teammates became lifelong friends. Experiences stretched far beyond football.
When asked what advice he’d give his 16-year-old self, Davide didn’t talk about scholarships or exposure. He talked about patience.
Everyone has their own timeline. There is no single right age, no fixed pathway, and no deadline on ambition.
The U.S. college system didn’t give Davide a second chance. It gave him the right one.
If you’re a student-athlete (or a parent of one) and want to explore similar opportunities through the U.S. college system, let’s talk.
