Three Mercer Island students spent the summer learning about soccer from people who know it — at academies for Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

Will Wheeler and Emjay Byers are both students at West Mercer Elementary, and Luca Mtskhetadze is a student at Island Park.

Wheeler went to Madrid for Real Madrid’s residential camp, while Byers and Mtskhetadze went to Florida for FC Barcelona’s camp. The trio learned about the curriculum and cultures of the Spanish clubs and academies.

“The trip was a wonderful experience to work on more than just soccer,” Wheeler said.

In Florida, Byers said one of his favorite parts was: “Learning the drills that Messi and David Villa learned was lots of fun. I met lots of new friends there and hope to go back next year!”

“I learned not to hold the ball too long and make quick passes, and enjoyed interaction with different coaches and having long practices every day,” said Mtskhetadze.