Every kid dreams of becoming a professional footballer. You get to play the sport you love, get the adoration of fans, and get paid handsomely for it. But it’s not an easy path to become one. Here’s how to do it.
Have the desire to achieve
More than anything else, the primary requirement is to have a burning desire to achieve your goal. Many players believe they have what it takes, but only a few actually go ahead and achieve it. Only those who want to win at any cost will succeed in this cutthroat world. The other important thing is the consistency of performances over time and an unswerving belief in your abilities.
Practice over and over again
Here, the mantra is practice makes perfect. Work on all aspects of your game (dribbling, passing, tackling, etc.) individually for hours every day. Alternatively, you can play as a team with friends to master these skills. There’s no replacement for hard work.
Set goals and achieve them
Every footballer has a dream, and that is to play in the world’s top leagues. Once you have decided on your goal, you must set realistic milestones for it. For example, if you are aiming for the English Premier League (EPL), break down the journey into smaller milestones like playing for your college team, state level, district level, etc.
Condition your body
To stand out in this profession, you’ve got to have the right body type. You must be physically fit with good stamina. It’s not just about being strong or quick, but using these physical qualities in tandem with your sports skills to achieve your goals. If you are a midfielder, for example, it helps if you are tall, but it isn’t necessary.
Work on your game
While the game is on, you need to give it your all. When not playing, you need to hone your skills so that you outdo your opponents every time. If you are an outfield player, practice penalty kicks and corner kicks, as both fall under the same category of goal-scoring opportunities. For goalkeepers, practice diving at different angles. So, practice doesn’t make perfect in this case; it makes it permanent.
Look for opportunities
You don’t have to play for the country’s top league right away. Look for small opportunities like school and college tournaments, local leagues, and street games. These should help you improve your game and build a reputation as a promising player. Use these opportunities to pick up vital tips from experienced players, which will stand you in good stead in the future. You can even get the opportunity to play in Europe with Soccer to Football.
Have a thick skin
If you want to become a professional footballer, you have to learn to take criticism and failure in your stride. If you cannot handle harsh words from your coach or teammates, maybe this is not the right profession for you. You must believe in yourself and understand that it takes time to get where you want to be.
Recover and recuperate better
After your game, don’t sit around and mope. Treat your wounds and injuries quickly so that it doesn’t impact your next match. But accidents do happen on the field, so be prepared for anything. Keep track of your career and work on areas you need to improve on.
