A-League: Macarthur FC captain Ulises Davila working for success at Bulls, full 2021/22 squad

He has passion, skills, drive and an extraordinary journey bringing him to Campbelltown. But it’s something else Ulises Davila hopes can deliver Macarthur FC big things this season.

The football nomad in Sydney to lead the Bulls this A-League season.

When you are up against thousands of kids at every session, every game and every squad selection for a position in football you learn the value of hard work.

And it’s that work ethic, honed during his years in Mexico as a talented youngster who repeatedly represented his country, that football nomad Ulises Davila hopes will help Macarthur FC to a second memorable season.

While Australians may be more familiar with Mexico’s crazy and colourful Luca Libre masked wresting than its football competitions, the sport is a massive part of the lives of the youth of a country boasting a population of around 129 million.

Ulises Davila celebrating scoring for Phoenix last season.

“I say you have to have talent but the most important thing is to work hard,” Davila said ahead of Macarthur’s first game of the A-League against his old Wellington Phoenix teammates at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on November 21.

“In Mexico there are millions of kids who try for it. You have to work harder.

New Bulls captain Ulises Davila in action last year.

“It’s the national sport and it’s a big thing to be a football player.

“This is a new challenge, something new. We will try and achieve big things and work hard to do that.”

Davila revealed he was attracted to Macarthur FC because of the clubs plans for the future of the newest A-League club and has been honoured and “touched” to be awarded the captaincy after a career-ending injury to Adam Federici.

“The team is trying to achieve great things,’’ said Davila, a father of an 18 month old son now living near his training base.

“When I spoke to the owners and Ante (Milicic, coach), they were interested in trying to build something big.

“I decided to come because I feel they really want to work hard and to achieve great things.

“They were very successful the first season so the goal it to be the champions.

“We will fight and try and repeat or make it better.

“We are a long time without football and we cannot wait to play again.’’

Originally hailing from Guadalajara, Davila has spent the majority of his adult life as a football nomad, travelling the world and playing the game he loves and “started when I started to walk’’.

It has taken the 30-year-old attacking midfielder from under 17s to the national Mexican team, leagues in England, Holland, Spain and Portugal and even India.

Most recently he was one of Wellington’s most popular and successful players.

“I left home when I was 19 because I like to challenge myself and see other countries, to see different cultures and people,’’ he said.

The football nomad in Sydney to lead the Bulls this A-League season.

“To be honest now I have a family I decided this was a good place to be, It’s is one of the best places I have been.’’

First up for Davila in the A-league is taking on his old teammates at Phoenix on November 21 at his new home ground.

“It will be funny. But I can’t wait,’’ he said.

MACARTHUR FC 2021/22 SQUAD PLAYERS

Current squad: Nick Suman, Ryan Wood, Aleksandar Susnjar, Anthony Golec, James Meredith, Jake McGing, Jake Hollman, Jordon Mutch, Antonis Martis, Liam Rose, Daniel De Silva, Charles M’Mombwa, Tommy Oar, Moudi Najjarm, Craig Noone, Lachlan Rose, Michael Ruhs, Ulises Dávila, Tomi Juric, Al Hassan Toure, Filip Kurto

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