Football
Exclusive: "Leadership and Confidence: La Liga Academy Has Shaped Me to Who I Am Now" – Oyinlola Olamide
At 17, Oyinlola Olamide shares her journey from Nigeria’s NWFL to captaining La Liga Academy in Spain. Her story reveals resilience, adaptation, and dreams of a successful future in Europe.
Masashi Hara - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
At just 17, Oyinlola Olamide made a significant leap in her career, moving from Nigeria’s NWFL to the prestigious La Liga Academy in Spain.
Now captaining the academy and quickly adapting to the new environment, her story is one of resilience and growth.
In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom, Olamide shares her journey, the challenges of adapting to a new culture and language, and her dreams for the future.
A Bold Move to La Liga Academy
Olamide’s move from Nigeria’s elite women's league, the NWFL to the La Liga Academy, came with both excitement and challenges.
Reflecting on the transition, she describes it as “quite alright,” and an “amazing experience.”
With exposure to world-class facilities, Spanish culture, and the academy’s supportive environment, she has adapted well. “The facility over there, the environment, and the food,” she shares. “At least I’m adapting.”
Moving abroad at 17 was not without its hurdles. “At first, it was not that easy because of the weather and all of that. And the language as well,” she admits. But her resilience has paid off.
I’ve spent over a year now, and I think I’m adapting. I’m getting used to the coaches and my teammates, and I can now communicate with them. I’m already hearing a little bit of Spanish.
Oyinlola Olamide
Growing as a Leader
Olamide’s leadership skills were quickly recognized at the academy, earning her the captaincy soon after her arrival.
“Due to my leadership skills that developed in my short stay, that was why I was made the captain,” she explains.
“My role is to lead the team to victory and also encourage my teammates and listen to the advice of my coach.”
Though she holds the title, Olamide emphasizes the importance of listening and teamwork. “I’m the leader, but my teammates also advise me in some aspects. Like, we should do this, we should do that. I also listen to them as well.”
A Shaping Experience and Big Aspirations
Reflecting on her time at La Liga Academy, Olamide believes the experience has been invaluable.
“Yeah, it has shaped me to be the person I am now,” she says. While she’s grateful for this stage in her journey, she’s already setting her sights on bigger goals.
“I see myself playing in one of the top clubs in Europe. Making myself proud and also making my family proud as well.”
When asked about specific clubs she’s eyeing or any offers that might be in the works, Olamide remains diplomatic: “I’ll keep that private to myself and family.”
From overcoming cultural barriers to embracing the responsibilities of leadership, Oyinlola Olamide’s journey at La Liga Academy reflects determination and ambition.
As she sets her sights on Europe’s top leagues, it’s clear that she has already made strides toward a promising future. One guided by hard work, faith, and a commitment to the dreams she carries from Nigeria.
Just play to instructions, and you’re good to go. It seems so easy.
Oyinlola Olamide
A Shaping Experience and Big Aspirations
Reflecting on her time at La Liga Academy, Olamide believes the experience has been invaluable.
“Yeah, it has shaped me to be the person I am now,” she says. While she’s grateful for this stage in her journey, she’s already setting her sights on bigger goals.
“I see myself playing in one of the top clubs in Europe. Making myself proud and also making my family proud as well.”
When asked about specific clubs she’s eyeing or any offers that might be in the works, Olamide remains diplomatic: “I’ll keep that private to myself and family.”
From overcoming cultural barriers to embracing the responsibilities of leadership, Oyinlola Olamide’s journey at La Liga Academy reflects determination and ambition.
As she sets her sights on Europe’s top leagues, it’s clear that she has already made strides toward a promising future. One guided by hard work, faith, and a commitment to the dreams she carries from Nigeria.
Gbemidepo Popoola, is a freelance Sport Journalist with multiple years of experience in Writing, Reportage and Broadcasting. Gbemidepo's major concentration is telling the local Nigerian Sporting stories, in its own Unique way. This is because he believes, "no one, can tell our story better than ourselves".