Tribal Football

Danny Trejo exclusive: Messi's true impact on US soccer; playing with Bale at LAFC; skipping MLS for Poland

Danny Trejo exclusive: Messi's true impact on US soccer; playing with Bale at LAFC; skipping MLS for Poland
Danny Trejo exclusive: Messi's true impact on US soccer; playing with Bale at LAFC; skipping MLS for PolandFlashscore
Trejo, 25, won a deal with Korona Kielce to 2027 after spending his entire professional career in the US - which included time in MLS first with Portland Timbers and then with Los Angeles FC. Trejo was picked up the 2021 MLS SuperDraft, placing 14th in the selection round.

It was with LAFC where the tricky attacking midfielder found himself sharing a pitch - and a locker room - with one of his heroes, former Arsenal and Real Sociedad striker Carlos Vela. Trejo would also play alongside Real Madrid's multi- Champions League winning star Gareth Bale before dropping into the USL last year to help Phoenix Rising win the Championship.

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In this Q&A with Tribalfootball.com, Trejo discusses his time in MLS, his thoughts on the future of the game in the USA and also a potential future homecoming to LigaMX.

LAFC must have been a dream experience for a young player, working alongside the likes of Gareth Bale and Carlos Vela?

So I played for LAFC, for Las Vegas Light, Phoenix. All of them has been different experience for me, from all of them I learned a lot. At LAFC I had the honor and pleasure to share the pitch and train with important players like Carlos Vela and Gareth Bale.

"LAFC was the first professional team for me so I needed to adapt and raise my level because the level there was so high. There I trained a lot and worked hard and it was a great opportunity for me and my career."

How did you find Bale and Vela as teammates?

Yeah for me when I was there training with them it was a great experience, something I took great advantage of because every day I tried to learn something from them. I asked them about everything!

"They were very helpful towards me, every time I had a question about something they were there to help me and it was a really good time for me."

But then you left for Phoenix in the USL...?

"Yes, going to Phoenix was an important moment in my career when I was feeling good about my football.

"I went there on a one-year contract to do well and show my qualities and then leave. The plan went as I desired because I went there, scored 19 goals and we won the title. Then after finishing my contract there I decided where my best option would be and that's why I decided to come to Europe and Poland."

So you skipped a return to MLS? What is the general feeling amongst pros about the league?

I think there has been very positive investment, the league is growing a lot and you can see year after year more and more big names of football are going there and helping the league grow. And now watching a game from there, it's very enjoyable and the level has raised a lot. In the end I can say the league now is going in the right direction."

Of course, Lionel Messi must have had a positive impact?

I think the arrival of Messi in the MLS has changed a lot of things and has impacted all levels and organisation there. To have a player like him, the best player in the world... of course it changes the perspective of the league.

"I think his arrival there and also other important players will help the league grow and get better."

So now you're in Poland and with Korona Kielce...

My experience until now has been positive, of course with some difficulties like leaving another country and coming to a new continent. But I think that I'm adjusting with time and keeping my head straight and being positive everyday about my process of continuing as a football player and becoming better and better."

But given your Mexican roots, is LigaMX an option in the future?

I think Mexican football is a very exciting league, I enjoy watching that league a lot. There are very good teams with very talented players, and this has been transported also to the national team where a group of talented players are doing well and playing an attractive style of football."

So what about El Tri and the Copa America?

I think there are a lot of good teams who will compete for the title. It will be an exciting event for everyone to watch, and I think it will be worth watching every game. And regarding the favourites it's very hard for me to say it but let's see what happens..."