TikTok Star Marco Samuely Lund Hansen: Why It’s About the Journey, Not the Destination

Marco Samuely Lund Hansen isn’t just a TikTok star—he’s a global sensation. Known for his soccer tricks, Marco has captivated audiences worldwide, amassing 4.3 million likes and 400,000 followers. Fluent in three languages, an avid traveler, and dedicated to mission work, Marco’s story is both inspiring and relatable, especially for young adults.

From humble beginnings to TikTok stardom, Marco’s journey is a testament to perseverance, creativity, and the power of embracing challenges. What truly sets him apart, however, is his humility.

Despite his massive online success, Marco never boasts about his achievements. Instead, he casually shares his TikTok videos—each one a testament to his hard work and creativity—while staying grounded and focused on the journey rather than the destination.

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Marco’s TikTok

Marco’s journey didn’t start on TikTok—it began long before, on a soccer field when he was just four years old. 

By the time he was 11 or 12, Marco discovered soccer freestyle videos on YouTube. He became obsessed with the skill and creativity behind them. He watched legends like the F2 Freestylers, the Skill Twins, and French freestyle champion Sean Garnier. Their tricks seemed impossible, but Marco was determined to learn.

The first move he ever mastered? The “Around the World”—a trick where the foot loops around the ball mid-air. It took him hours of practice to land it, but once he did, everything changed. He started pushing himself to try harder tricks, even pulling off a double revolution around the ball—something I can’t even imagine doing once!

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Marco & Dennis at DigiMarCon

Beyond the views and viral moments, becoming TikTok famous changed his life.

Marco’s journey started in high school when he first got on Instagram. His twin brother convinced him to join, and at first, he just observed. But inspired by soccer creators, he saw an opportunity. His first post was a simple Christmas Eve highlight reel of his tricks and competitive gameplay. At the time, his account was private, and the video barely reached 100 views.

The turning point came when he took a chance and messaged a popular soccer compilation page, David10Football, which had around 50,000 followers. He asked if they could share his trick shot video. To his surprise, they agreed. When the story expired, he received a screenshot—his video had hit 12,000 views. That moment made him realize his content had potential.

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Marco’s Instagram

Although his Instagram following remained small (around 2,200 followers), he used the platform to experiment—learning video editing on iMovie, refining his style, and understanding audience engagement. 

In 2018, Marco participated in an Adidas and Bundesliga contest in Miami, where he won the adult freestyle category. That win marked an important milestone for him. Shortly after, he entered another skill contest hosted by the Skill Twins, which had a $1,500 prize. Marco used that prize to upgrade from filming with his mom’s old iPhone 5 to an iPhone, realizing he needed better equipment for high-quality content creation.

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Marco Playing Soccer Tricks

In 2019, Marco joined TikTok and noticed soccer creators repurposing Instagram content. He tried the same but saw little traction. Experimenting with hashtags and captions, he kept refining his approach.

In 2020, he uploaded a soccer ball kick from a Swiss mountain. It had 20,000 views on Instagram but barely 50 on TikTok. He reposted it with better hashtags, and it gained traction. A soccer cleat transition video soon hit 200,000 views, boosting his follower count.

On February 29, 2020, Marco posted a Kobe Bryant tribute, requiring 23 touches and landing on the 24th attempt. It gained 150,000 views, but his real breakthrough came when he shared a version showing both failures and successes—it resonated with millions.

Marco’s Kobe Bryant Video on TikTok

Within hours, Marco’s phone blew up with notifications. His video hit 12.5 million views and 2.2 million likes, transforming his TikTok presence. This moment reinforced his mom’s lesson: “It’s about the journey, not the destination.”

The real impact came from relatability—things aren’t flawless or scripted like on TV. Perseverance through tough moments is what truly matters.

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Marco Playing Soccer Tricks in His Childhood

Marco’s viral video launched his TikTok career, but it left him with a challenge—how to sustain momentum and shape his online presence. He went back to experimenting, focusing on soccer trick shots and learning that sharing failures was just as important as showcasing wins.

TikTok taught Marco humility and appreciation for the journey. He stopped taking things for granted and embraced authenticity, showing both struggles and successes—something that truly connects with people.

Graduating in 2025, Marco sees major opportunities ahead, especially with the 2026 World Cup in North America. But first, he’s focused on the Women’s World Cup, just a week away, aiming to capture key moments as a content creator.

Miami, a hub for soccer content creators, has given Marco opportunities to connect and collaborate while balancing university and content creation.

His study abroad experience through FIU’s Honors College took him to Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Having already explored Europe, Marco chose Southeast Asia for a new cultural experience and a chance to make an impact.

In Cambodia, he taught English in Siem Reap, working with the Provincial Teacher Training College (PTTC) to help future educators prepare for exams. Led by Vietnam War veteran Harry Roberge, the program supports underprivileged Cambodian children through the Chim Education Foundation.

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Marco’s TikTok Views

Marco’s experience in Southeast Asia taught him more than just teaching—it exposed him to a culture that values community over self. He was struck by the warmth and generosity of the people, despite the U.S.’s complex history with the region.

Teaching English in Cambodia was a challenge. With no prior experience, he was suddenly called to lead a class of 200 students. The applause felt like scoring a game-winning shot, confirming this was a life-changing moment.

More than teaching, it was about connection. Marco’s journey highlights the power of cultural exchange and stepping outside your comfort zone. He believes trying new things—whether in business, marketing, or any field—can open doors you never expected.

Marco’s advice to young adults is simple: try everything. You won’t know what fits until you take that first step. While studying international business, he’s also exploring marketing, sales, and international relations—keeping his options open.

His journey is a reminder that success isn’t always a straight path. In a world filled with superficial content, Marco’s story stands out as one of perseverance and growth. Taking risks and putting yourself out there can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Marco’s advice to others: never give up, keep trying, and always be open to what comes next—because you never know where it might take you.

Marco’s journey reminds me of how one decision can change everything. Just as his choice to study abroad opened his eyes to new perspectives, my decision to stay in the dorm instead of a hotel shaped my future.

Marco embraced the unknown by traveling to Southeast Asia, stepping out of his comfort zone to teach English and immerse himself in a different culture. He learned that success isn’t just about highlights—it’s about the struggles, the risks, and the willingness to try new things. That mindset is what sets people apart.

When I started in digital marketing, I thought I could do it all alone—just like Marco once believed social media success was about the numbers. But we both realized that real growth comes from connections, mentorship, and learning from experiences. Marco found this in his travels, and I found it in my early days working with mentors like the CEO of American Airlines.

Just like Marco sees the 2026 World Cup as a huge opportunity, I saw my college decision as a turning point. The relationships I built in that dorm led to a full scholarship, which set me on a path toward American Airlines, Yahoo, and ultimately, the digital marketing industry.

Marco’s insight about first impressions reinforced the power of asking deeper questions. True connections come from curiosity and listening.

His journey of stepping out of his comfort zone aligns with my mission—creating mentorship at scale and a million jobs. Just as Marco learned that success is about uplifting others, I’ve realized impact comes from sharing what I’ve lived.

The internet and social media connect us globally, bridging the gap between businesses needing digital marketing help and young adults eager to learn. This isn’t just theory—it’s happening now.

Marco’s story proves that taking risks, asking the right questions, and embracing new experiences open doors. Whether in digital marketing, business, or any field, the key is to keep learning and creating value for others.

Marco embodies this mindset. He didn’t aim to be a social media sensation, but by stepping out of his comfort zone—whether through soccer trick shots, cultural exchanges, or new experiences—he created opportunities.

His story is a reminder to take risks, keep learning, and focus on adding value. The world needs more “How can I help?” people, not just “What’s in it for me?” Start chasing your dreams today!

Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu is a former search engine engineer who has spent a billion dollars on Google and Facebook ads for Nike, Quiznos, Ashley Furniture, Red Bull, State Farm, and other organizations that have many locations. He has achieved 25% of his goal of creating a million digital marketing jobs because of his partnership with universities, professional organizations, and agencies. Companies like GoDaddy, Fiverr, onlinejobs.ph, 7 Figure Agency, and Vendasta partner with him to create training and certifications. Dennis created the Dollar a Day Strategy for local service businesses to enhance their existing local reputation and make the phone ring. He's coaching young adult agency owners who serve plumbers, AC technicians, landscapers, roofers, electricians in conjunction with leaders in these industries. Mr. Yu believes that there should be a standard in measuring local marketing efforts, much like doctors and plumbers need to be certified and licensed. His Content Factory training and dashboards are used by thousands of practitioners.