Stephano Carrillo Shares His Excitement for the 12th Edition of the CSP

• Stephano Carrillo, an 18-year-old forward who has been part of Santos Laguna’s development system since 2018, has represented the club at the Sub-13, Sub-16, Sub-18, and Sub-23 levels.

The young talent from Cuencamé, Durango, has also had international experience with Mexico’s youth national teams. Notably, in November 2023, he played in the U-17 World Cup in Indonesia, starting in all four matches for El Tri. Earlier this year, he also made his debut for Mexico’s U-20 squad in the Torneo del Sol.

Recently, Carrillo took a major step in his career, making his Liga MX debut in Matchday 7 of the 2024 Clausura Tournament against Pumas.

A Special Connection with the CSP

Having emerged from Academia Santos Peñoles in Velardeña, Stephano feels a deep connection to the Santos Peñoles Cup, as he once competed in the same tournament where young talents now strive for greatness at Territorio Santos Modelo.

"Peñoles invests heavily in children who want to develop in this beautiful sport. I myself came from an Academia Santos Peñoles in Velardeña at the age of 11. A few months later, I was scouted by the club, participated in two editions of the Santos Peñoles Cup, went through several selection processes, and eventually joined the Santos Laguna youth system and Casa Club," he shared.

A Message to Young Players

Stephano had some inspiring words for the young athletes currently competing in the tournament:

"I want to send a message to all the kids—keep dreaming and chasing your goals because dreams do come true. I hope you give it your all in this edition of the Santos Peñoles Cup and at your academies. Stay disciplined, always give your best, and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way to achieve your dream."

An Example of Perseverance and Discipline

Understanding the challenges of making it as a professional player, Stephano hopes to inspire the next generation with his journey:

"I see myself as an example of perseverance and discipline for all the kids who dream of becoming footballers. As long as I can, I will support them with advice and talks to motivate them. Nothing is impossible—believe in yourself, because with discipline, humility, and big dreams, you can achieve anything."

The Santos Peñoles Cup continues to be a launchpad for future stars, proving that with hard work and dedication, young players can turn their dreams into reality.