Ambition and hard work: Maciej Kuziemka's path to the first team

Maciej Kuziemka, a young Wisła Kraków player, is a prime example of how, with patience and persistent work, you can fulfill your sporting dreams. He began his footballing journey in the youth teams of KSZO Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, then developed his skills in Wisła Kraków's youth teams and reserves. His determination and commitment led him all the way to the "White Star" first team. Kuziemka has already made his debut for the team led by coach Mariusz Jop, during which he demonstrated solid form and displayed his footballing talent. What was his playing career like, and what made him one of Wisła Kraków's most promising players?

The young Wisła Kraków player joined Reymont during the 2021/22 season, committing his future to the Kraków club from KSZO Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski. However, he was already known to Wisła's coaching staff. His talent and aggressive nature captivated players from the very first moments on the pitch, attracting the attention of the coaches, who eagerly invited him to participate in training sessions and tournaments. The next, as you might imagine, natural step was Maciej Kuziemka joining the White Star's youth teams, where he had the opportunity to develop his skills in the Central Junior League. Initially starting on the bench, he quickly became a key player.

"He first appeared at Wisła training sessions as a junior player. Back then, as a player at KSZO Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, he was brought to us by Mateusz Kostecki for training in Bronowice. From the start, he was characterized by great ease in dribbling and excellent ball control. This was something that was clearly noticeable, and it was with these elements that he made the biggest impression right from the start. Maciek was a big surprise for me. Honestly, I didn't expect that a boy coming from a smaller club would stand out so much on the pitch among our players from the very first training session. That's why we regularly invited him to participate in friendlies and tournaments," began coach Patryk Jałocha.

"Later, we had the opportunity to meet in Myślenice, when he joined the U-17 team. It was a breakthrough, but also a difficult moment for him. Changing schools, changing places of residence, and being separated from family are difficult things, especially for someone so young. From our football days, we remembered him as a very energetic person, but when he joined us permanently, he initially lacked that self-confidence, which stemmed from the factors mentioned above and the very strong training environment he found himself in. It took him some time to adapt, but he was incredibly hard-working and committed. He gradually built his position in the team, catching his first minutes and gaining experience. The following season, he became a key player in the team and spread his wings," the coach continued.

As the player himself says, the decision to move to the capital of Lesser Poland wasn't easy and was fraught with doubts, but ultimately, the young player managed to overcome all adversity and begin fighting for his dreams. "It wasn't an easy decision. Changing clubs and moving to another city at a young age isn't easy, but my parents and I knew it was necessary to take this step so I could fulfill my dreams. I had offers from other clubs, but I already felt somewhat attached to Wisła, as even before the transfer I was invited to trials and tournaments. My early days at the club were quite difficult; I was constantly plagued by injuries and illnesses, and when I did get on the pitch, it was difficult to show my full potential. It certainly taught me a lot, and now I'm proud that with each passing year, I feel more and more confident at the club and I'm performing better and better on the pitch."

In addition to his talent and incredible hard work, the young player's success was also due to his professional approach and the support he received from his parents. These aspects, coupled with the trust he displayed from his coaches, created excellent conditions for the Wisła player's development, which he capitalized on.

"Besides being a very talented player, he is also a well-behaved young man. His parents deserve a lot of credit for this. When he joined us, they were very supportive, aware that results would take time, and showed patience and trust. I think this also influenced his adaptation to the club and his development. Returning to Maciek himself, he was also conscious and disciplined from the start when it came to various aspects of football, such as regeneration, diet, and mental approach. He knew that the course of his future career depended on him. We were able to create the right environment, give him support, and wait for the results," said coach Jałocha.

Kuziemka stormed into the U-19 team, competing in the CLJ, and his next step was the Wisła Kraków second team. Last season, he made 20 appearances for the fourth-division reserves, scoring four goals and earning promotion to the next division. This season, he also played a key role in the team managed by Aleksander Mikhailov (previously Bartosz Bąk), playing 15 matches and scoring five goals. What is the recipe for success according to the young Wisła player? "First and foremost, I always give 100%; I know that hard work pays off, and that's the path I want to follow. I want to showcase my skills in training and enjoy every moment on the pitch."

Maciej Kuziemka's professional attitude, excellent form, and immense talent were a source of great interest to the White Star's first-team coaches. In previous seasons, the player had the opportunity to participate in training sessions, and in October of this year, he was officially registered for the Betclic First League. He didn't have to wait long for his debut, making his first appearance in the first league in the 73rd minute of the match against Stal Stalowa Wola. He received another opportunity in the league match against Chrobry Głogów, where he played the final 30 minutes.

"It's a huge honor and distinction. I also know that I earned it through my hard work, and I'm proud to be climbing the career ladder and now have the opportunity to develop in the first team. A debut is always a special occasion, but I wouldn't want to rest on my laurels. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, and I'm already focused on my next goals."