Explained: How ignoring family advice made Weston McKennie a USMNT & Juventus star – with confident American always pursuing ‘plan A’ in Europe

The all-action 25-year-old is now an experienced performer at the very highest level, but he started down a path to the top of world football by taking a brave decision when still in his teens. McKennie opted to shun a scholarship offer from the University of Virginia in order to link up with Schalke in Germany, with calls from his father and brother to stick with education and a more secure future falling on deaf ears.

McKennie has told EightbyEight of his scenic career path and why he chose to gamble on making it big: “My mom was like, ‘Follow your heart. Do what you think is best. Whatever you decide, I’m going to support you.’ She always knew that I wanted to become a professional soccer player. That was my dream, that was my goal, that was my plan A. That’s when I decided: If I go to college and nothing works out for me in soccer, I’m always going to live with regret. And then I might develop a resentment toward my family because I’m going to think the whole time, Why didn’t I go with what I wanted? Why did I let someone else make the decision or influence me on it? So I said, ‘I’m gonna go. And then if it doesn’t work out, at least it’s on me.’”

Things have worked out for McKennie, as he is currently enjoying a welcome return to form and favour at Serie A giants Juve. His versatility is being put to good use in 2023-24, with the confident 25-year-old happy to play wherever he is required. McKennie added on the positional questions that continue to be asked of him: “I’ve always experienced being the joker player, the one that people can put in any position. When I was at Schalke, I think the only positions I didn’t play were left-back and goalkeeper. Whatever I get asked to do, I always try to be the best at it. At Schalke, that probably didn’t work in my favour, because if I really love to play midfield and want to become great in that position but they see that I can also play good in this or that other position, then obviously I’m going to play those positions as well.

“At Juventus, honestly, I don’t mind which position I play. Whether it’s right back or midfield, I enjoy both. I think I can put in a good performance in both areas. Whatever the coach wants, I’ll do. Whatever helps the team. I have no ego when it comes to being on the field. I just really want the team to win and to reach that plan A right now, which is to qualify for Champions League and win the league.”

McKennie – who has 49 senior international caps to his name - has helped to push Juventus into title contention this season, as they sit two points adrift of leaders Inter in the Serie A table, and there has also been talk of him earning an extension to a contract in Turin that is due to expire in the summer of 2025.