Meet Aquila Peleseuma, the 11-Year-Old Sāmoan Footballer Turning Heads in France

At just 11 years old, Aquila Peleseuma is already achieving something many young footballers only dream about.

The Wellington-born Sāmoan has been offered a pathway into one of France's leading football development systems after signing with Paris FC, a club that competes in the top tier of French football.

Aquila, the youngest of three siblings, discovered his love for football while playing with friends near the family's home in Rouen, France. His talent was spotted by the father of one of his friends, who encouraged Aquila's parents to enrol him in a local football club.

The rest, as they say, is history.

 
Aquila's father, Opetera Peleseuma, who moved to France in 2017 to pursue rugby opportunities, admits football was never a sport the family expected their son to fall in love with.

"We didn't actually know he was playing soccer," Opetera told RNZ Pacific. "His best friend's dad came knocking on our door and asked if Aquila was already playing for a club. We said no."

After watching Aquila play, the family friend recognised his potential and encouraged the family to get him involved in organised football.

That decision has now opened the door to one of Europe's most competitive sporting pathways.

Under the agreement with Paris FC, Aquila will begin progressing through the club's development system, eventually entering its academy programme. The club will also support his education and sporting development as he continues to grow both on and off the field.

Despite his young age, Aquila understands the significance of the opportunity.

"I feel happy about it, and it means something great to me," he said.

"I am proud because I don't know any other Sāmoan or Pasifika kid who's playing football and in the same position."

Aquila hopes other young Pacific kids see his journey as proof that anything is possible through hard work and dedication.

"Listen to your parents, work hard, stay humble, and listen to advice that people give you."

For Aquila's parents, the signing is not a finish line but the beginning of a much longer journey.

"We know it's just a door and an opportunity," said Opetera. "What happens next will come down to the work he puts in."

His mother, Stacee, says seeing her son commit to something he genuinely loves has been one of her proudest moments as a parent.

"It's very well deserved. He knows he has to work hard for it."

They say their main hope is simple: to see Aquila chase his own dream and go as far in football as his talent and effort can take him.

While the road to professional football remains challenging, the Peleseuma family is focused on supporting Aquila's dream every step of the way.

And for one young Sāmoan footballer in France, that dream is already taking shape.

Source: RNZ Pacific