At just 23 years old, Sandro Reyes has already become one of the brightest faces of Philippine football — a young midfielder whose journey from the streets of Muntinlupa to the football pitches of Europe continues to inspire a new generation of Filipino athletes.
Born Sandro Miguel Sison Reyes on March 29, 2003, the attacking midfielder plays for German club FC Gütersloh while also representing the Philippine national football team. But beyond the growing spotlight, Sandro’s story is one of sacrifice, discipline, and an unwavering dream nurtured from childhood.
Sandro comes from a prominent political family. His father, former Marinduque congressman Edmundo Reyes Jr., served as representative of the province’s at-large congressional district. Yet despite his family’s influence in politics, Sandro chose a different path — one that led him to football fields instead of public office.
His love for football began at the age of four. Influenced by his cousin Patsy, a former member of the Philippine women’s national football team, Sandro quickly developed an interest in the sport. His father also introduced him to football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who would later become his childhood idols.
Growing up in Muntinlupa and studying at PAREF Southridge School, Sandro sharpened his skills by competing against older boys in football-rich communities such as Iloilo, Bacolod, and Barotac Nuevo. Even at a young age, he displayed a level of talent far beyond his years.
That talent soon opened doors overseas.
At only nine years old, Sandro attended an FC Barcelona youth camp in Singapore. Out of 2,400 children aged 9 to 12, only two boys were eventually selected for further training in Spain — one of them was Sandro Reyes.
The opportunity changed his life forever.
In 2012, he moved to Spain after earning a scholarship with FCB Escola, Barcelona’s youth academy program. The move forced Sandro to grow up quickly. Far from home, he learned to live independently while balancing football and school life.
He recalled how seeing football culture in Spain convinced him to pursue the sport seriously.
“During my trials, it was my first time to see a proper football country — the true football, the love for football,” Sandro once shared. “From there, it was a no-brainer to pursue that life.”
Living abroad came with challenges. Sandro had to navigate public transportation alone, take care of household chores, and adapt to an entirely different culture at a very young age. But those experiences shaped not only his character, but also his mentality as an athlete.
After his stint with FCB Escola, Sandro joined Spanish club Santboià before eventually returning to the Philippines in 2021 to play for ADT in the Copa Paulino Alcantara. He later transferred to Kaya–Iloilo, one of the country’s top football clubs.
In 2023, his European dream continued when he signed with German side SpVgg Greuther Fürth II in the Regionalliga. He later moved to FC Gütersloh in 2024, continuing his development in one of Europe’s most competitive football environments.
On the international stage, Sandro has also emerged as a key player for the Philippine Azkals. He made his senior debut during the 2020 AFF Championship and scored his first international goal against Brunei in the 2022 AFF Championship at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Today, many Filipino football fans affectionately call him “Starboy” — a fitting nickname for a player whose potential seems limitless.
But for Sandro, football is about more than personal success.
He dreams not only of going further in Europe, but also of helping elevate Philippine football onto the world stage. He hopes to inspire young Filipino athletes and push the national team closer to Asian Cup success and even a historic World Cup qualification.
And even when his playing days eventually end, Sandro knows football will remain part of his life forever.
“I decided when I was six or seven years old that I will be a football coach,” he said. “It’s all I’ve known since I was a kid. It’s all that I will ever want to do.”
From the son of a former Marinduque congressman to one of Philippine football’s brightest young stars, Sandro Reyes continues to prove that dreams built on passion, sacrifice, and perseverance can shine far beyond borders.
Philippine football has found its Starboy — and his story is only beginning. -- Marinduquenews.org
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