I tell you those 5 features that will make you become a footballer.
I tell you those 5 features that will make you become a footballer.
Firstly, I have been coaching over 5 years internationally and being an active part of football for over 20 years, thus I thought about sharing with you what it is to be a footballer. I have been observing players and also my attitude of playing football, watching others play or coaching. Some points will be an eye-opener others is something you would agree with me. Coaches, football agents and the ones who work with scouting would be able to describe a good footballer very precisely. However, as you will see these professionals can only help the young players’ achieve their goal, but most of it will depend on the individual.
Secondly, I have also carried out secondary research. What would be a better timing if not now to talk about the qualities of a good footballer, after Portugal has won the Euro2016. When I say Portugal, the key player of the national team of course is Ronaldo. Now he has reached the top of Europe in his national team as an additional accomplishment, which he can write on his CV. He is the ultimate player in the modern age, he has the physical, mental attributes, peppered with inimitable shots, sense of rhythm and skills. His appearance in a laboratory set-up, helps to understand what sets him apart from others: “Ronaldo tested to the limit”
Here are the 5 characteristics I think are key to succeed as a football player.
A good Attitude with a positive mentality helps the player to keep motivated in reaching his/her goal. A player should be enthusiastic to play football 24/7, who want to train, want to practice and want to improve. Showing initiative, striving for more will separate a good player from the best player.
A good player should be Passionate about the game, and wanting to play football. You, as a player should throw yourself into the game full-heartedly, than you will be successful.
An excellent player, just like Ronaldo has a good Vision, knows where to play the ball, before the teammate get there, having vision, you know where you should be moving without the ball. Vision is a sense of rhythm, knowing how to move with the game. Me personally, that was my greatest asset as a player (I guess that is partly why I became a coach), is the ability to read the game, in other words being in the right place at the right time.
Technical abilityis another key factor that a great player should possess. The ability to dribble at speed, to beat the opponent and execute drills with 100% confidence will add to your value as a player.
Being Maximalist is an expectation you set for yourself and would not be happy with anything less than maximum effor, not just in the game, but all the time, not when others are watching, but when you are practicing skills in the back garden. Coming to trainings and performing even basic exercises with 100% of focus and passion in order to gain confidence and better yourself as a player. Having self drive, the motivation of always wanting to improve, will get you to the top.
What does it take – opinion of young footballers
I would like to break it down into two categories:
Physical 
technique
team play (including everyone)
strong/strength
healthy/good fitness
skills
dribbling
passing
accuracy
power
communication
Psychological
respect/sportsmanship
thinking ahead/vision
attitude
confidence
discipline/listening to coach
honesty
determination
desire
positive mentality
communication
inspiration (role models)
WRONG, well partially, here comes the wake-up call. Don’t worry you did not waste your time, but if you followed the post up to now, keep on reading…
Actually, many players have all those attributes, but they lack in the following…
Good management, a mentor is vital in the development of your child’s career
Luckbeing in the right place at the right time, again you never know when top management is watching you, when they come to scout new players, so any day could be the big day, thus you cannot afford not to give your absolute best all the time.
Dedication– going beyond what is required, going the extra mile without being told what to do, eg. Helping others, showing leadership, sportsmanship, playing/practicing football all the time
Humility- being humble, yet firm and motivated in order to achieve your goals.
Technique-Skills-Talent– talent is only a couple of% in you, which can be beaten by hard work and determination, so keep practicing.
Focus– to have an aim in football, e.g. I want to be nr. 1 in the world and be persistent about it
Diet– being a good footballer does not start and end on the pitch, but it continues of the ‘kitchen’, having healthy food, with vitamins, calcium, protein, carbohydrate will support you and are as important as performing well on the pitch
Rest- after a good workout with full efforts, a good rest is crucial as, this is the time when skills are stored (muscle memory) and also when you recover.
As you see, there are many components that make a good footballer, overall being persistent will get you moving forward and towards your goal.
I would love to hear your insight to this topic, if you are a footballer parent, fan of football, coach, manager. I am also striving to learn from others. Being part of football you may see the game from a different angle and I would be very happy if you could share your opinion. I am also sure, that I could learn from you too! I am open for discussion.