Brothers For Life

For every person that is a part of the Michigan State men's soccer community, the Barone name is no stranger. The fourth brother, Giuseppe Barone, finishes out a long legacy under head coach Damon Rensing.

Although Barone has made recognition for himself outside of his family's name, he still credits their bond for the love of the game.

"Just growing up, ever since I can remember, I always had a soccer ball with me," Barone explained. "Whether I was playing in my basement with my older brothers, I mean that's all we would do really"

Throughout his career, it's easy to say that soccer has meant a great deal to him and has been a large part of his life, yet to Barone the relationships made along the way are what have left a lastling impact on his life.

"It's meant a lot. I feel like all my friendships have come from playing soccer. I've met people from all over the world through soccer so that's pretty cool. It's meant a lot, it's everything to me really," Barone said.

Just as many before him, Barone's dedication and passion for the Michigan State program has exceeded the expectations of his coaches and his teammates.

With that, he became one of three Spartan captains for the 2019 season.

"That was actually really cool. I think it's good to know that the guys respect you enough to take that role so that's definitely been a positive," Barone said. "With being injured, it's kind of tough to be a captain when you're not on the field able to lead by example. That was a little tougher, but that was a great honor."

Barone's fourth year in the Green and White saw no absence of challenges. Suffering from a season long injury, he was forced to find new ways to lead his team, off the field.

"Just keeping up with your friendships, just staying in touch with your teammates and coaches of the field. I was obviously in and out of the trainings so that was tough, but I just really tried to keep in touch with the guys," Barone said.

Growing up engulfed in the Spartan Nation atmosphere, there was no question playing for Coach Rensing was a goal of his.

Receiving his offer to play at Michigan State meant Barone would finally be a part an experience he always dreamed of.

"It's meant a lot. Obviously because of soccer I ended up here, but I think that coming to MSU and having talked to other people you don't get the same experiences at other schools especially academically and all the sports with soccer, football, basketball and with the big school comes a bigger social atmosphere," Barone said. "With our team too, we're pretty close team so it's been a good experience."

It is no surprise that his most memorable accomplishment was making in the Final Four of the College Cup. For him, though it wasn't about the experience itself but about the people he made it there with.

"Definitely making it to the Final Four just because that was something we hadn't done here for 50 years," Barone explained. "It was also my favorite part because most of the guys on that team, I had been with them for two or three years and I really learned from them from a maturity standpoint. How to lead and work hard."

Soccer has provided many opportunities, formed numerous relationships and allowed Barone to live out a dream of his, for not only these past four years, but for his entire career, but greater than all of those it has transformed him in the person he has become.

"I think it's helped a lot especially maturity-wise in that you aren't going get your way all the time and you just have to preserve in certain insistences and just keep a cool head," Barone said. "I don't always do that I guess, but also with all the relationships and friendships. You're always encouraging your friend on the field, it's the same thing in life with helping and checking in on your friends. It just kind of goes hand-in-hand with life."

Players Mentioned

Giuseppe Barone

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