How to become a professional soccer player? A Complete Guide

How to become a professional soccer player is the question on the minds of many aspiring players. The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, in this article, we will discuss some important things that you need to do if you want to make it as a professional soccer player! Keep reading to make your dream a reality.

How to become a professional soccer player

Prepare Yourself Mentally

First of all, before you even start training to become a professional soccer player, you need to prepare yourself mentally. This is because the journey to becoming a professional soccer player is not going to be easy. There will be times when you will be tired, and frustrated, and even you may not become a pro soccer player.

That is why it is important to have a strong mindset and be mentally prepared for the challenges that you will face. Visualize yourself becoming a professional soccer player and think about what it would take to make that happen. This will help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

You should also make a second plan in case you don’t become a professional soccer player. This will help you avoid feeling disappointed and will give you something to fall back on.

Start Playing Soccer At A Young Age

The earlier you start playing soccer, the better. This will give you a chance to develop your skills and learn the game. If you start playing in your teens, you’ll have a disadvantage compared to those who started playing when they were younger.

Most players play soccer professionally when they are aged 16 or above. Think about you starting playing soccer at 15 or 16. You will be behind your opponents in terms of maturity, development, and understanding of the game. I would recommend starting playing soccer at age 4-5 in a local team where you can develop your skills.

Join A Top Soccer Club

If you want to become a professional soccer player, you need to join a top club. This will help you get exposure and be seen by soccer scouts. It is important to attend practices and games regularly so that you can improve your skills.

You should also do some research about the club before joining to know how many professional soccer players they have produced. You will be wasting your time if you join a team with a bad history, coach, or team. So find a good club with a good coach who can help you develop your skills.

You may have to change clubs several times to find the right fit or you may have to change your location if there are no good clubs in your area. This could be hard on you and your family, but it is worth it if you want to become a professional soccer player.

Stay Focused And Disciplined

If you want to be a professional soccer player, you need to stay focused and disciplined on and off the field. This means that you should be eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and staying in shape all the time.

You never know when scouts are around, so you always have to be ready. This means that you can’t party all the time and you have to avoid drugs and alcohol. If you don’t have good habits as a soccer player, you will not make it as a professional.

Train Hard No Matter What

No matter what level you are playing, whether it’s in a local club, college, or semi-professional team, you need to train hard. You should be practicing every day to improve your skills. If you want to become a professional soccer player, you have to treat it like a full-time job.

You need to be dedicated and willing to sacrifice a lot of things. This includes your social life, time with family and friends, and other hobbies. You should be focused on becoming a pro player and nothing else. Sometimes you will not feel good about it, but you have to push yourself. The more you train, the better your chances of becoming a pro player.

Play Soccer With Older, Faster, And Better Players

The best way to improve your skills is to play soccer with players who are better than you. If you can find some older, faster, and better players to play with, that would be ideal. This will help you improve your skills and learn from them.

You can also learn a lot by watching professional soccer players. Watch how they play and try to imitate their style. You can also learn from their mistakes so that you don’t make the same ones.

Market Yourself

Nowadays, it’s not enough to be a good soccer player. You also need to market yourself if you want to get noticed by scouts. This means that you need to have a good social media presence and create a personal brand. You need to post videos of your best plays and share them on social media.

You should also create a website or blog where you can write about your soccer journey. If you can get people to follow you, it will be easier for scouts to find you. Scouts are always looking for talented and marketable players. So if you can show them that you have what it takes to be a professional soccer player, you will increase your chances of getting signed by a pro team.

The best example of this is Arat Hosseini. He’s an Iranian-born soccer player and he now has 5.8 Million followers on Instagram. He is widely referred to as the “young Lionel Messi”.

In a video posted on Instagram by Arat’s father the Argentine star, Messi commented “Thanks Arat!! I see a lot of class there, impressive! Hug!!”. He was signed by Liverpool’s youth academy when he was only 7 years old. Even had offers from Arsenal and Barcelona FC.

Get Coaching From Experienced Professionals

One of the best things you can do to become a professional soccer player is to get coaching from experienced professionals. They can help you with your skills, development, and understanding of the game. They can also help you prepare for soccer trials and give you advice on what to do and what not to do. A good coach will be able to help you reach your potential and become the best soccer player you can be.

Coaches have connections as well, so they can help you get exposure to soccer scouts and other people in the soccer industry if they feel you are a good player. If you can find a good coach, they will be worth their weight in gold.

Limiting Your Circle

You may have friends that like to go out and party all the time. These friends will not help you achieve your goal of becoming a professional soccer player. So it is important that you limit your circle and only spend time with people who have the same goal as you. If you keep hanging out with the same people, you will end up doing the same things.

You need to be around positive people who will support your dreams and help you achieve your goals. These people will not hold you back but will help you move forward. Find a group of friends or mentors who have experience in professional soccer and learn from them.

You should also limit your social media use. Social media can be a huge distraction, and you should use it only to promote your soccer career. You should not be posting pictures of you drinking or partying. This will only hurt your chances of becoming a professional soccer player because scouts may check your social accounts and they will think that you are not disciplined.

Make Connections

You need to start making connections with players and coaches if you want to play professionally. You can do this by attending soccer camps and tournaments. You should also try to meet as many people as possible and get their contact information. Keep in touch with them and let them know about your progress.

Some of these people may be able to help you get a tryout with a professional team. You should also try to connect with players who are already professionals. They can give you advice and tell you what it takes to make it as a professional soccer player. These are the people that already have the connections that you need.

So instead of making friends with people who do not have the same goal as you, you should try to make friends with people who are already pros or on the way to becoming one. You never know when these connections will come in handy.

Never Miss Any Opportunities

When you are trying to become a professional soccer player, you need to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. This means playing in tournaments and attending showcases. You need to put yourself out there so that people can see your talent.

The more exposure you have, the more likely it is that someone will take notice of you. So if you get the chance to play in a tournament or showcase, make sure that you do not miss it. This is your chance to shine and make an impression on the people who matter.

Attend Tryouts Free And Paid

You should also attend as many tryouts as possible, both free and paid. Paid tryouts are usually for more established clubs, but they are worth attending because you will be competing against better players. This will give you a chance to show what you are capable of.

Free tryouts are also a good option because they will allow you to get some experience. Even if you do not make the team, it is still a good opportunity to get some practice. And who knows, you might just impress the coach enough to get a spot on the team.

So make sure that you attend as many tryouts as possible. The more experience you have, the better your chances of making a professional team.

Best Age To Become a Professional Soccer Player

The best age to become a professional soccer player is typically during your late teens or early twenties. Here’s a detailed explanation in simple terms:

Early Interest and Training (Ages 6-12)

Many professional soccer players start playing soccer at a young age, often around 6-12 years old. This is when they develop basic skills like dribbling, passing, and shooting. They may join youth teams or academies to receive structured training.

Youth Development (Ages 13-18)

During the teenage years, players who show promise might be scouted by professional clubs or academies. This is a crucial period for development as they continue to refine their skills, gain tactical knowledge, and build physical strength and stamina.

Late Teens (Ages 18-21)

This is often the ideal age range to aim for a professional career. Players who have honed their skills and gained experience in youth and possibly college or lower-level professional teams can catch the attention of scouts and coaches. Many top-level clubs start signing players around 18-21 years old.

Physical and Mental Maturity (Ages 22+)

While it’s possible to become a professional player after age 21, it becomes increasingly challenging. Top clubs prefer to sign players who have reached their physical peak and have the mental maturity to handle the pressures of professional soccer.

Signs That You Will Become a Professional Soccer Player

Here’s a more detailed explanation of the signs that indicate you might have the potential to become a professional soccer player:

1. Natural Talent: You display exceptional soccer skills from a young age. This includes dribbling, passing, shooting, and ball control. You might have a knack for understanding the game’s nuances, such as positioning and timing.
2. Passion and Dedication: You have an unwavering love for soccer. You’re willing to dedicate a significant amount of your time to playing and improving your skills. You practice regularly, whether it’s with a team, friends, or on your own.
3. Coach’s Recognition: Coaches in your youth soccer teams or academies notice your abilities and dedication. They might give you more playing time or assign you specific roles within the team to capitalize on your skills.
4. Scouting Interest: Scouts from professional clubs start attending your matches to assess your potential. Their presence suggests that they see something special in your playing style or potential for development.
5. Joining a Youth Academy: You receive an invitation to join the youth academy of a professional soccer club. These academies are designed to nurture young talents, providing top-notch coaching, facilities, and competition.
6. Consistent Improvement: Over the years, you continually enhance your soccer skills. Your technical abilities, tactical understanding, and physical attributes all show steady progress.
7. Competition Success: You excel in competitive soccer leagues and tournaments, consistently performing at a high level. Your contributions might lead to team success, and you might even win individual awards or recognition.
8. Physical Fitness: You maintain excellent physical fitness, which is crucial for professional soccer players. This includes attributes like speed, agility, endurance, and strength. You work on your physical conditioning to meet the demands of the sport.
9. Mental Toughness: You demonstrate mental resilience on the field. You can handle pressure situations, stay focused during matches, and bounce back from setbacks without losing confidence.
10. Positive Feedback: Coaches, teammates, and even opponents frequently praise your soccer abilities. This acknowledgment indicates that your talent is widely recognized within the soccer community.
11. Seeking Feedback: You actively seek feedback from coaches, experienced players, and mentors. You’re open to constructive criticism and use it to refine your skills and understanding of the game.
12. Balancing Education: While pursuing a soccer career, you recognize the importance of education as a backup plan. You maintain a reasonable balance between your academic pursuits and your soccer training, as not all players make it to the professional level.

It’s important to note that while these signs can indicate potential, success in professional soccer is never guaranteed. Many factors, including competition, opportunities, injuries, and luck, play a role in a player’s journey. To maximize your chances, you should remain dedicated to improving your skills, staying mentally strong, and making the most of any opportunities that come your way.

Signs That You Will Not Become a Professional Soccer Player

Here are some signs that may suggest you might not have what it takes to become a professional soccer player:

1. Lack of Passion: You don’t have a strong passion for soccer. You view it as just another sport and don’t find joy in playing or watching the game regularly.
2. Inconsistent Dedication: You rarely practice and don’t put in the time and effort required to improve your skills. You may skip training sessions frequently or lose interest quickly.
3. Limited Natural Talent: You struggle with fundamental soccer skills such as dribbling, passing, and ball control, and it doesn’t come naturally to you. You may not have the coordination or athleticism required.
4. Little Recognition: Coaches and teammates don’t often acknowledge your performance or potential on the soccer field. You may not receive extra playing time or specific roles within the team.
5. Lack of Scouting Interest: Scouts from professional clubs are not showing any interest in watching your matches. Their absence suggests they may not see potential in your playing style.
6. Not Invited to Youth Academies: You haven’t received invitations to join youth academies of professional clubs. These academies are typically reserved for players with significant potential.
7. Stagnated Improvement: Your soccer skills have not noticeably improved over time. You struggle to keep up with the technical, tactical, and physical demands of the game.
8. Little Success in Competition: You don’t perform exceptionally well in competitive leagues or tournaments. Your contributions may not lead to team success, and you may not receive individual awards or recognition.
9. Poor Physical Fitness: You lack the required physical fitness for professional soccer, such as speed, agility, endurance, and strength. You may not prioritize physical conditioning.
10. Lack of Mental Toughness: You struggle to handle pressure on the field, get easily discouraged by setbacks, and may not maintain focus during matches.
11. Limited Positive Feedback: Coaches, teammates, and opponents rarely praise your soccer abilities. This lack of recognition may indicate that your talent is not widely acknowledged within the soccer community.
12. Resistance to Feedback: You’re resistant to feedback and don’t actively seek advice or constructive criticism from coaches or mentors.
13. Disregard for Education: You don’t consider education as a backup plan and neglect your academic pursuits in favor of soccer, even though the vast majority of aspiring players don’t make it to the professional level.

It’s important to note that not exhibiting these signs doesn’t guarantee success in professional soccer, just as exhibiting them doesn’t guarantee failure. Soccer, like any sport, is influenced by a combination of factors, including talent, dedication, opportunity, and luck. If you’re passionate about soccer, there’s still value in playing and enjoying the game, even if a professional career may not be in the cards.

Benefits Of Becoming A Professional Soccer Player

There are also many benefits of becoming a professional soccer player. First, you will get to travel the world. If you are good enough, you could even play for a team in another country. Second, You will get to meet new people.

Moreover, you will meet people from all over the world when you are a professional soccer player. You will get paid to do something you love. If you are one of the best players, you could make a lot of money. Lastly, You will have a lot of fun. Playing soccer is a lot of fun, especially if you are good at it.

Risks Of Becoming A Professional Soccer Player

There are a few risks that come with becoming a professional soccer player. First, you could get injured. This is always a risk when you are playing any sport. But if you get injured, it could end your career before it even starts.

Second, you might not make enough money to support yourself. This is especially true if you are not one of the top players. If you are not making enough money, you might have to quit your dream and get a regular job.

Third, you could end up disappointed. This is because becoming a professional soccer player is very difficult. Even if you have all the talent in the world, there is no guarantee that you will make it. So you need to be prepared for the possibility that you might not achieve your dream.

Signs That You Will Become A Professional Soccer Player

Burning Desire

The first sign that you will become a professional soccer player is your burning desire to play at the highest level. You need to have a strong passion for the game if you want to make it as a pro.

This means that you will be willing to do whatever it takes to make it to the top. You will be willing to sacrifice your social life, your sleep, and anything else that is necessary to reach your goal. If you do not have this burning desire, then it is unlikely that you will make it as a professional soccer player.

Full Dedication

The second sign that you will become a professional soccer player is your full dedication to the sport. You need to be fully committed to your dream of playing professionally. This means that you will be willing to put in the work, even when you do not feel like it.

You will need to train every day, even when you are tired and sore. If you think it’s hard to do the same thing every day just to make it to the professional level, then you are not fully dedicated to your dream.

Realistic Goals

You need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve as a professional soccer player. You need to know what your goals are and you need to be realistic about them. If your goal is to play for the national team, then you need to be realistic about your chances. There are only a few spots on the team and there is a lot of competition.

But if your goal is to play for a professional club, then you need to be realistic about the level of competition. There are many professional clubs out there and you have a much better chance of making one of these teams. So be realistic about your goals and do not set your sights too high. Otherwise, you will only be disappointed.

Strong Support

You will also need a strong support system if you want to become a professional soccer player. This support system can be your family, your friends, or your teammates. Your family’s support is very important because they will support you financially. They will also be there for you emotionally.

When you are young and your family is not supportive, it can be very difficult to continue pursuing your dream. So if you want to become a pro soccer player, make sure that you have a supportive family.

Top Class Player

You need to be one of the best players on your team if you want to have a chance at becoming a professional soccer player. You need to be better than the majority of the players in your age group. This is because professional clubs are always looking for the best players.

If you are an average player, it will be very difficult to make it as a professional. But if you are a top player, you will have a much better chance. This is because the competition levels are very high and you need to be able to stand out from the rest.

Luck Factor

Of course, you also need to be a little bit lucky. Even if you have all of the above qualities, there is no guarantee that you will become a professional soccer player. This is because many factors are out of your control.

For example, the coach of the professional team you are trying to make may not like your playing style. Or the team may already have too many players in your position. So while you can control your own destiny to a certain extent, there is still an element of luck involved.

How many years does it take to become a professional soccer player

Most professional soccer players start training at a young age. It usually takes many years of practice and dedication to become a professional soccer player. However, some players can turn pro without spending years in training.

They might have a natural talent or be in the right place at the right time. If you have the dream of becoming a professional soccer player, then you should start training at a young age and never give up on your dream.

How old is too old to become a professional soccer player

There is no age limit for becoming a professional soccer player. However, it is very rare for players to turn pro after the age of 23. This is because most players start training at a young age and it takes many years to develop the skills needed to play at a professional level.

So if you are over the age of 23 and you want to become a professional soccer player, it is important to be realistic about your chances. While it is possible to make it as a professional soccer player at an older age, it is very unlikely.

How much does it cost to become a professional soccer player

It typically costs very little to become a professional soccer player. Most players are signed by professional clubs after spending years in training with youth academies. These academies are run by professional clubs and they typically do not charge players for training.

So if you want to become a professional soccer player, you should focus on training and developing your skills. You should also try to get noticed by professional clubs. Once you are signed by a club, you will then start earning a salary.

How Hard Is It To Become a Professional Soccer Player?

Becoming a professional soccer player is exceptionally challenging and highly competitive. Here’s an explanation of why it’s so hard:

1. Fierce Competition: Millions of aspiring players worldwide dream of becoming professional soccer players. This results in fierce competition at every level of the sport, from youth teams to professional academies.
2. Natural Talent: To stand out, you need natural talent and athletic abilities. soccer requires skills like speed, agility, coordination, and a good understanding of the game, which not everyone possesses.
3. Dedication and Hard Work: Making it to the professional level requires an incredible amount of dedication and hard work. Players often train for hours each day, working on their skills, fitness, and tactics.
4. Mental Toughness: Soccer is mentally demanding. Players must handle pressure, deal with setbacks, and maintain focus during high-stakes matches. Mental toughness is crucial.
5. Injury Risk: Injuries are common in soccer, and they can derail careers. Players need to stay fit and recover quickly to maintain their performance.
6. Scouting and Opportunities: Scouts from professional clubs look for potential talents, but not everyone gets spotted. You need the right opportunities and connections to get noticed.
7. Age and Timing: The ideal age to make it professionally is typically in your late teens or early twenties. If you’re not scouted or signed by that age, it becomes harder to break into the professional scene.
8. Luck and Circumstances: Luck plays a role in soccer success. Sometimes, a single injury or a coaching change can affect a player’s career trajectory.
9. Education and Backup Plan: It’s essential to have a backup plan, such as education or vocational training, because not all players make it to the professional level. Pursuing a soccer career can be risky, and having an alternative path is wise.
10. Global Nature of the Sport: Soccer is a global sport, and there are talented players from all over the world competing for a limited number of professional positions. This international competition makes it even harder to secure a spot on a top-tier team.

Conclusion

Now you know exactly what it takes and how to be a professional soccer player. If you have the desire, dedication, and support to make it as a professional soccer player, then go for it. Do not let anything stand in your way. And who knows, maybe one day you will be playing soccer professionally in a top club.

If you feel like you don’t have what it takes to be a pro soccer player then I would still encourage you to play if you just love playing the game but don’t spend all your time dreaming of becoming a pro. You’ll be much happier in the long run. Instead, pursue something that makes you happy.

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