Today we’d like to introduce you to Manu Ledesma
Hi Manu, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Emmanuel Ledesma.
I was born in Quilmes, Argentina, and from a very young age, my greatest passion has been soccer. As I often say, God gave me a gift—the talent to play soccer in a way that has miraculously taken me down paths I never could have imagined.
I had a challenging childhood, facing various situations that made daily life difficult. Soccer was always my way of living better, my escape. At a young age, before making my professional debut in Argentina, I was fortunate to move to Italy to play soccer, and that’s where my journey began.
From Italy, I went to England, and after a brief return to Argentina to play for Defensa y Justicia, I went back to England. My career then took me to Greece, followed by an incredible opportunity to play in the United States with the iconic New York Cosmos.
However, my life truly changed in 2018 when I had the privilege of joining FC Cincinnati. That year, I was named the USL Championship MVP, with 16 goals and 16 assists. In 2019, I became part of the club’s inaugural roster in MLS.
Cincinnati welcomed me and my family like no other place ever has—it became our true home. This sense of belonging inspired me, and in 2024, alongside two friends, I founded the Manu Ledesma Academy. Our mission is to share my knowledge, passion, and love for soccer with local youth, while instilling in them the values that have guided me throughout my life.
Soccer has always been more than a sport to me—it’s a way of life, and I’m honored to pass that on to the next generation.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My childhood and adolescence were anything but easy.
Growing up in the neighborhood and facing the economic struggles of the time came with its challenges. Even playing soccer—the one thing I loved most—wasn’t always simple. Yet, navigating these circumstances shaped the person I am today.
I’ve learned to appreciate what I have, work hard for a better future, and, above all, do it for my family. My efforts are not just for me but for the people who mean everything to me.
My soccer career has been no different, it hasn’t always been smooth. Finding the right environment to thrive and perform at my best has been a challenge. That’s why I always emphasize the significance of FC Cincinnati in both my professional career and personal life.
This club gave me the stability and support I needed to reach new heights and feel truly at home. For that, I will always be grateful.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In 2024, upon my return to Cincinnati, I embarked on a new journey with my friends Chris Kofman and Agustín Cáceres: founding my own academy.
It felt like the right time to start sharing the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my career. Located in Blue Ash, we began with small groups of boys and girls, focusing on personalized training. Quickly, we realized the importance of complementing weekly training with competition, which led us to join the Fulcrum Fives league with multiple teams.
Our vision expanded, and we launched the project to create a team to compete in the UPSL Midwest. The tryouts for building this roster were a resounding success, generating incredible excitement among players across the region.
At the academy, in every program we offer, our mission is to instill passion, a focus on skilled ball control, and a deep commitment to the game and teammates. But beyond that, we aim to strengthen a sense of community. We want to continue growing, welcoming more families into a space that cherishes and protects the best traditions of soccer.
What sets us apart is the combination of everything I learned on the streets of Argentina and the invaluable experience and education I gained during my years playing for teams in different countries. I truly believe there’s no coach in the region with my background and the same relentless drive to give everything.
Every training session is an extension of who I am: a player, a coach, a mentor, and above all, someone deeply passionate about what I do. And I’m honored to share that with every player who steps onto the field with us.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Soccer will continue to grow in the United States, there’s no doubt about that.
A few years ago, it was rare to see boys and girls choose soccer as their primary sport, let alone become passionate fans of a team or pull their parents into the excitement of training and games. But that’s exactly what’s happening now, and it fills me with pride.
I know we have so much to offer, both in terms of player development and the cultural values tied to the game. We all agree that the foundation of this sport, the grassroots level, is the perfect place to plant the seeds for future success. The work we do today will lead to great achievements in the not-so-distant future.
We’re proud to be part of a city that loves soccer, and we are committed to giving everything we have to continue growing alongside our community. Together, we can build something truly special.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://manuledesmaacademy.getomnify.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manuledesmaacademy/
- Twitter: https://x.com/LedesmaAcademy
