At just 19 years old, Arsenal goalkeeper Alexei Rojas has already made significant strides both on and off the pitch. While his main goal remains breaking into Mikel Arteta’s first team, Rojas is equally passionate about driving change in sustainability, a cause he has championed since childhood.
Having signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in July, Rojas has already begun making a mark at the club, not only through his footballing abilities but also by using his platform to advocate for environmental causes. His dedication to sustainability began at the age of 10, inspired by his mother, who works as a risk manager for a company involved in offshore wind farms.
Rojas has since made it his mission to raise awareness about sustainability, both in football and in his day-to-day life. He has used his time at Arsenal to encourage positive changes within the club, focusing on areas such as recycling, eliminating single-use plastics, and improving energy efficiency at the club’s Hale End academy.
“It’s about creating change, and I’ve had the chance to do that here at Arsenal,” Rojas explains. “From adjusting operational aspects like recycling bins and energy use to raising awareness about the environmental impact of sport, we can start to make a real difference.”
The young goalkeeper also works closely with organizations like Common Goal and Football for Future, movements dedicated to promoting sustainability within football. Through these platforms, he has become a voice for integrating environmental responsibility into sport and is helping to develop an educational program for Premier League academies.
One of the most recent initiatives Rojas has contributed to is the Fields of Change handbook, a practical resource for grassroots sports organizations aiming to adopt sustainable practices. This project, supported by Adidas, highlights the importance of collaboration between large organizations and local communities to drive meaningful change.
“The key is connecting top-down and bottom-up approaches,” Rojas explains. “Grassroots efforts can create momentum, and when big organizations see the demand, they want to get involved and support it. Both sides need each other to make a real impact.”
Arsenal has been supportive of Rojas’ environmental efforts, even as he navigates the complexities of professional football. He acknowledges that some athletes may hesitate to speak out due to concerns about being labeled hypocrites, given the challenges of balancing sustainability with a demanding career.
“Football is a performance industry, and the main focus is winning,” Rojas says. “It’s not about being perfect in terms of sustainability. But what’s important is that we can control what we can control. Clubs and players can influence fans, reduce waste, and promote positive messages.”
Though still early in his football career, with no first-team debut yet, Alexei Rojas is already an influential figure in sustainability. As he continues to develop on the pitch, his commitment to environmental causes promises to make a lasting impact both in and outside the world of football.
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