Pajaro Valley High alumnus Ignacio “Nacho” Aguado took the chance of a lifetime earlier this year when he packed his bags to pursue a lifelong dream.
In January, the 21-year-old Watsonville native earned an opportunity to play professional soccer with the Atlético Hidalgo Futbol Club in the Liga TDP — the fourth level of the Mexican football league system.
Aguado played in a total of 10 matches, earning his right to the starting 11 for four while coming off the bench in six others.
“It wasn’t the best season, but personally I learned a lot,” Aguado said. “It was my first pro season, different type of level, so it’s just a good learning experience, overall.”
The journey hasn’t been easy for Aguado, though. He became involved with the Aztecas Youth Soccer Academy when he was approximately 13 years old.
Throughout his time with the program, Aztecas founder Gina Castañeda said Aguado has consistently demonstrated resilience, determination and a commitment to achieving his goals.
“Although Nachito [Aguado] has always been a strong student, he has faced significant challenges throughout his life,” Castañeda said. “During the Covid-19 pandemic, his family experienced severe financial hardships, creating barriers that could have prevented many young people from pursuing their dreams.”
Despite these obstacles, Castañeda said that Aguado maintained an incredibly positive outlook and has never allowed adversity to define him.
“From a young age, Nachito’s dream has been to play professional soccer,” Castañeda said. “He understood that reaching this goal would require sacrifice, independence and the willingness to pursue opportunities wherever they existed, even outside the United States.”
In December, Aguado jumped on the chance to play in the pros by hopping on a flight to Pachuca, Hidalgo where Atlético Hidalgo is based. The coaching staff liked what they saw on the pitch, and offered him his first professional soccer contract.
Aguado had a week to decide because they wanted him in a uniform by January. Plus, he still needed to register with the Mexican government in order to play.
He was hesitant at first because he knew it would be a struggle, especially being on his own in a foreign country.
During that week, Aguado resorted to praying. On that final day before the deadline he broke the news to his mom.
“I’m gonna just go, I’m young, I have nothing to lose,” he said. “I always wanted to become a pro. I finally got the opportunity, and I wasn’t being grateful for it, just praying helped me out a lot.”
Castañeda said Aguado not only worked tirelessly to improve as a soccer player but he also sought opportunities to develop life skills, financial responsibility and independence.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Aguado earned an opportunity to attend a soccer academy that would further both his athletic development and education. He received sponsorship through the academy, yet Aguado needed an additional $5,000 to attend.
The Aztecas Program was proud to help bridge that financial gap, allowing him to pursue this life-changing opportunity. He successfully attended the academy for two years before returning to PV, where he graduated in 2023 and earned recognition as an all-league soccer player.
After high school, Aguado pursued both his education and dream of playing professionally by attending Hartnell College while still competing at a high level.
He recently completed tryouts with both Irapuato and Alebrijes de Oaxaca soccer clubs out of the Liga Premier — the third level of the Mexican football league system.
Aguado mentioned organizations such as Aztecas, Central Coast FC, Eclipse Soccer Academy and Fuerza Santa Cruz have made it possible for him to achieve his goals through sponsorship and providing guidance.
“I just want to inspire my community,” Aguado said. “I want to show everyone that if I could do it, they could do it, too.”
Beyond soccer, Aguado has shown tremendous personal growth and entrepreneurial spirit.
In 2023, he began detailing cars through mentorship from County of Santa Cruz Probation Officer Jose Rocha, expanding his knowledge and skills.
Aguado successfully started his own car detailing business, which allows him to support both himself and his family while continuing to finance his pursuit of professional soccer opportunities.
“One of Nachito’s greatest strengths is the light he brings to everyone around him,” Castañeda said. “He has an infectious positivity that uplifts teammates, staff and peers alike.”
Castañeda added, “Despite the many barriers he has faced, he has never allowed them to discourage him or diminish his character. Instead, he has used every challenge as motivation to work harder and become stronger.”
Aguado was already faced with some challenges upon arriving in Pachuca. At times he had no electricity or running water, forcing him to buy bottled water to heat on the stove so he can shower.
He also ran into the obstacle of feeling like an outsider or a threat to the local players, who happened to play rougher or toss him bad passes that made it difficult for Aguado to succeed on the field.
That’s when he began to question himself about moving down south.
“Back at home, I had my mom,” Aguado said. “I feel like God was putting me to a test. I’m super grateful that I stayed over here because a lot of players from Watsonville come over here to try themselves out in Mexico and it’s so hard they just go back.”
Now he’s become friends with most of his teammates that have accepted Aguado as one of them.
In all her years working with youth, Castañeda said she’s rarely encountered a young man as determined as Aguado.
“It has been a true privilege for the Aztecas program to support, mentor and watch him grow into the remarkable young man he is today,” Castañeda said. “He represents the values of perseverance, humility, leadership and hope that our program strives to instill in every participant.”
