Since he was a child, José Miguel Arce had a clear dream: to play professional soccer in Europe.
For José Miguel Arce, that goal seemed distant to many—almost unattainable. But for him, it was always a clear and powerful vision. From the start, he knew that achieving it would take relentless effort, unwavering determination, and the right preparation. Step by step, José Miguel turned challenges into opportunities, proving that with focus and dedication, even the most ambitious goals are within reach.
Arkansas State University not only opened the doors to a world-class education, but also gave him the tools to challenge himself and achieve the extraordinary.
“A-State is my home, my family,” he proudly states. In its classrooms and training camps, he found the drive to transcend. His time at the university not only shaped him as an athlete, but also as a person ready to face any challenge. “If you constantly push yourself to the limit, you get used to being at the limit,” he reflects on his training and mindset.
Graduating in May 2024, his story is a source of inspiration. For three years, he represented A-State on the soccer team, even overcoming the challenge of starting his freshman year virtually due to the pandemic. He knew that in soccer, “if you’re not there, there are three people ready to replace you,” and so he trained every day with the conviction that hard work is the key to success.
Today, José Miguel Arce plays in Reggio Calabria, in southern Italy, for Bocale Calcio in the Italian fourth division. His dream of playing in Europe is no longer a dream, but a reality. And although European football is challenging, he arrived prepared. “Arkansas gives you the opportunity to be ready at all times. You never know when an opportunity like the one I had will come; it could be tomorrow or in a year, but you have to be prepared.”
“From the moment you walk in until you graduate, you stop being a conventional person and become someone extraordinary,” he says. A-State not only gave him an education, but also a winning mentality, a worldview with ambition and determination. “You won’t find what A-State gives you anywhere else. I’m 100% sure the experience here is unique.”
The campus became his second home. “You don’t appreciate it until it’s gone. You have everything close by, you live with your friends, and you can focus 100% on your dream without distractions.” But beyond the comfort, his college experience left him with something even more valuable: the ability to always be ready. “Leaving Arkansas is a real struggle, because you miss everything from the moment you leave.”
Now, as he adapts to a new culture and a new language, his mindset remains strong. “I love that my body is my work tool. Not only am I healthy and fit, but I’m doing what I love and making a living from it.” But his vision goes beyond his own career. “I want to pave the way, not just for myself, but for my friends, colleagues, and anyone in Mexico who dreams of the same thing.”
The journey is just beginning, but his determination is unwavering. “Why stop? That was my only question.” With each step, José Miguel Arce continues to demonstrate that opportunities are for those who are ready to seize them. “Fill your portfolio with achievements that work in your favor,” he advises. Because in the end, the difference between those who dream and those who achieve lies in the preparation.
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