Moises Caicedo: Whether you like them rigid and traditional or free and unorthodox is up to you. However, it can’t be denied that the role of a defensive midfielder in today’s footballing economy is invaluable. One such figure who has embellished this role is Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo. In this article, we will be delving into the stories and chronological episodes in build-ups to his stardom. Stay with us to get acquainted with his family, religion, girlfriend, personality, etc
Moises Caicedo Family
Moi is the youngest of 10 children born to Juan Caicedo and Maria Carozo. His family is his pillar of strength and a populous household has not disjointed him from maintaining a tightly-knit bond with them.
Religion
He is a devout Christian. He is typically found to be preoccupied with prayers before matches. His Instagram feed is also found to consist of biblical quotes.
Marital Status
He is unmarried but currently dating his childhood partner Paolita Salazar. The two have been reported to have been together for close to a decade.
Childhood
Moi’s childhood was rather unenviable. Born in a dangerous neighborhood of Santo Domingo, his parents lived in constant fear for their family’s safety, leaving them with no choice but to adapt and make amends. His father worked as a rickshaw driver, and his mother occasionally washed clothes to make ends meet.
However, young Moi was not without a particular luxury—a soccer ball. The beautiful game captured his heart at a very early age. His makeshift pitch featured rocks as goalposts, and his cleats were his own bare feet. His dreams were simple: he wanted to don Independiente del Valle’s jersey one day. Growing up, he idolized N’Golo Kanté and was a fervent admirer of Chelsea.
Setting the Precedent
While kicking the ball on a typical sunny day, he caught the attention of Ivan Guerra, a reputable football coach in the city. He recalls the incident:
“There was just something about the way he was striking it, using both feet, that stood out.”
He was immediately enrolled in Guerra’s football school ‘Mujer Trabajadora’ at the age of 6 in 2007. His technical brilliance and instinctive tackling abilities set him apart from his colleagues. The generous coach even took care of his economic impediments such as transportation and schooling fees. Moises still remembers his generosity:
“He was the only one who believed in me, discovered me, and helped me in every way.”
At the age of 13 in 2014, young Moi started afresh at Colorados Jaipadida. He trained with them for a year until he made the big leap, attempting trials at Independiente del Valle.
The Success Spell
The biggest day of Moi’s life materialized when he received the news that he had passed the trials at Independiente. The young player was filled with myriad motivations and zeal to make the most of this opportunity. He started off well, impressing his coaches with his technical brilliance, but then the unfortunate transpired. He suffered a tear in his cruciate ligament that sidelined him for a year. Moises gives a brief account of the bitter nights that ensued:
“Nobody knew. I would go to my room and just start crying out of frustration, out of sadness. It was very hard, but I didn’t stop believing. I trusted in God and prayed a lot.”
Prior to his return to action, he was assigned a personal training regimen to ensure he still retained that spark. He made a triumphant comeback, winning an under-18 competition in Spain for South American teams along the way. His dream manifested at 17 years of age when he made his professional debut.
“From the first day he trained with us, he was the best player in the squad,” says Ramirez with a smile
Negotiating for Immortality
In the winter of 2021, he was signed by the Seagulls, Brighton, well-known for their history of developing young players into profitable assets. However, he only made one appearance until the end of the season and was loaned to Beerschot in Belgium for the 2021/22 season. Due to a shortage of midfielders, he was recalled from his loan five months later. This is where he made an instant impression, marking his Premier League debut with an assist.
The 2022/23 season saw him emerge as Brighton’s sole shining star, being incorporated into the regular starting XI. After strong links to Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool during the summer of 2023, he was finally signed by Chelsea in a record-breaking manner.
Lifestyle and Personality
Given his ascent to stardom, his choices when it comes to vacations befit those of a star. He’s often spotted taking a stroll downtown with his friends, with the ones he’s closest to being his South American and Ecuadorian compatriots at Brighton.
Moi’s humble background has engendered a great deal of generosity within him. He regularly takes part in charity matches in his hometown Santo Domingo.
Fun Facts about Moises Caicedo
- Chelsea’s most expensive signing.
- The fee Chelsea paid to Brighton for Moises Caicedo is higher than Ecuador’s GDP.
- Started off as a striker in his early days.
- Chose Chelsea over Liverpool at the last minute.
