HUDSON — As the 2025–26 school year comes to a close, students aren’t the only ones saying goodbye to Hudson High.
Sophomore boys soccer captain Henri Sa will leave the school community at the end of the year as he moves back to Brazil with his family.
“It’s a mix of everything,” Sa said. “It’s exciting to see everyone I knew before, friends, family — but at the same time, it’s kind of scary.”
Sa, a former Big Red reporter, has played for Hudson’s boys soccer program since eighth grade. Over the years, he has built strong relationships with teammates and taken on a leadership role as captain.
“Leaving them, it’s like leaving family,” Sa said. “It sounds corny, but it’s one of the families I created here.”
With Sa’s departure, the team will need to replace its starting striker and find new leadership.
“I think they can work it out,” Sa said. “As a captain, the only thing I can do now is find someone who can lead. It doesn’t have to be the best player — just someone who can bring people together.”
The team will also need to adjust its approach next season after a challenging year.
“A problem for us this year was losing a lot of seniors,” Sa said. “We were trying to figure out a new style and formation midseason. By the time it started to work, we already had too many losses.”
Despite the setbacks, Sa said the team maintained a positive environment.
“Even if we lost, we never let it be a sad season,” he said. “No one quit. Everyone tried to bring each other up and keep it fun.”
Sa said some of his favorite memories came off the field, especially during bus rides and practices.
“Those were always fun,” he said. “Even after losses, we still found ways to enjoy it.”
Throughout his time at Hudson, Sa formed close friendships with teammates.
“Vitinho is one of my best friends, so it was always fun to play with him,” Sa said. “And David Rodrigues — we played really well together. He always wanted to win.”
When he returns to Brazil, Sa plans to continue playing soccer, possibly for a club team, and bring the leadership skills he developed in Hudson with him.
“Being part of a team teaches you how to work with other people,” he said. “That’s something I’ll take with me.”
Sa described the move back to Brazil as unexpected.
“New Year’s came around, and my dad said we might start taking steps to move,” Sa said. “It wasn’t really my choice, but I’ll finish the school year so I don’t have to reclass.”
Although the move is difficult, Sa said he is trying to stay positive.
“I had plans here, so it’s hard,” he said. “But I’m a flexible person. I just have to work hard and figure it out.”
Sa first moved to the United States at age 10, just two weeks before COVID-19 lockdowns began.
“At first, I couldn’t go to school or meet people,” he said. “I was used to being busy and talking to people, and suddenly I had no friends.”
He initially attended school in Marlborough, where he repeated fourth grade due to differences in school calendars between Brazil and the United States. Midway through fifth grade, he moved to Hudson.
“I’m not going to lie, it kind of sucked,” Sa said. “I didn’t learn much that year. But when I moved to Hudson, it was a turning point.”
In Hudson, Sa said he improved academically and socially, eventually earning a certificate of biliteracy and building lasting friendships.
“The people I talk to today are from fifth and sixth grade,” he said.
Sa began playing soccer at a young age in Brazil and quickly developed a passion for the sport.
“My friends joined a team, and my mom signed me up,” he said. “I just kept playing because I loved it.”
He credits his father as one of his biggest inspirations.
“He looks out for me so much,” Sa said. “Part of the reason he moved here was for me, so I want to give something back.”
Sa also looks up to professional soccer player Neymar and finds inspiration in personal stories of perseverance, including the biblical story of Ruth.
“I don’t have to give up just because things didn’t work out the way I wanted,” he said. “I can find another way.”
Looking ahead, Sa plans to pursue a career in real estate and continue his education in Brazil. While he is disappointed that college sports are less common there, he remains focused on his future.
With his time in Hudson coming to an end, Sa said he will carry one lesson with him.
“Just because something doesn’t work out doesn’t mean you have to give up,” he said. “You just have to find a different way forward.”
