Why you’ve never been a 1st division type of player

[lamrof]

Looking at your football life, past and present, what are the reasons that prevented you from becoming a good professional football player? Is it lack of desire? environment? Turn of events? Impeded by others? Lack of technical ability? Health? Luck? etc... etc...

In my case, it has to be environment, technical skills and attitude. As a youngster, my parents didn’t give me the freedom to roam around the neighborhood and associate with other kids, although I loved the game and played whenever, wherever I can. In my mid twenties I played a lot here in the US. Technically I was average. It also didn't occur to me that there needs to be more effort in preparing my body for the rigorous play schedule in the leagues I played. I didn't have enough stamina because I did not work on it. My speed was mediocre.
In 93 something magical happened in my game. I started following Romario's game. Started hunting his tapes, etc.. And mostly the 94 world cup games and watched him in person in San Jose where the Brazil NT trained.
I started imitating his balance, and rhythm. I seriously worked on it, mentally visualizing the way he moves, with or without the ball. It was amazing because my game was changing. I exercised and did it again and again. I had to fight off my old habits and worked on the new movements for hours and hours. I noticed I was enjoying it more. My ball controls, dribble, shots, etc.. It was all new and much much better. I noticed ppl commenting on the improvement. Some thought I was that way forever and started asking me for advise. It was magical really. I become the most attractive player and goal scorer. It was awesome how much I enjoyed it.

As you know, Romario, and all good Brazilians (and most Argentineans) move with finesse. I grew up where finesse is frowned upon and ridiculed by fans/coaches/teammates. Overcoming that deep seating perception was tough but I did it.

Problem is by the time this happened I was too old. I do play recreational soccer now. People still think I am technically gifted.

If only this happened to me when I was younger

[Walter3000]

I'm slow, white, and unathletic. Other than that it boiled down to not being good enough.

[CheveLoco]

moved out of town when i was invited to the tryouts...

[XIIGermanIIX]

Not sure, but in my opinion pro players now days were just at the right place at the right time and somebody of importance was able to sight them, of course they must've have had some talent before, but without the training camps of great teams they would not have made it that far.

[FARFAN 17]

Because I live in the U.S.

[astabooty]

Didnt start playing soccer (indoor actually) till the end my junior year. I started too late, but even if I did start early, I may have never had the technical skills. I am an excellent marker, but thats about it.

Football (American) is where I had the best chance.

[yazoo123]

so if your 18 and living in the us playing for a ncsl team you have no chance of making it pro?

[mavandgoose723]

Fat, ugly, cant grow "soccer player hair"...no talent as well, im sure theres more

[SirManchester]

Because I was forced to move to the U.S.

[Pcp Yoko]

Because the coach didn't like me.

Because I play soccer like I dance.

[filiusterrae]

loved the game when I was younger, but didn't play every year 'cuz I didn't like most of the other kids on the team, finally gave up after 10th grade and never got back to same level of fitness/game awareness/technical ability (though injuries also played a part in that).

[Pcp Yoko]

Seriously, I think I can answer for a few people.

1. Didn't really know the skill level necessary until it was too late (too old).
2. Didn't realize the physical ability or conditioning until it was too late.
3. Didn't take the necessary steps early on to get recognition to advance to
the next level. Right kids team to get noticed by right youth team. Right
youth team to recognized by right senior youth team, pro scouts, High
School, college etc.
4. Didn't know the route to take to become a pro. For example if you want to
become a doctor you know you need to get into to godd secondary school,
keep good grades. Get into Medical school and graduate. Pass Med. exams.

Given what I know now if I could be 6 years old again... :rolleyes:

[glennaldo_sf]

Still can't seem to figure it out myself actually (sniff, sniff)...... may have been because I had longish hair, asthma, the coach didn't like me, played me out of position, etc., etc....

... or maybe it was because everytime I played footy I resembled something close to an epileptic mop.

[Matt Clark]

What a bizarre thread.

The answer for 99.9% of people on this planet is "because I wasn't good enough".

[Fires Of Fulham]

I have two left feet - not literally, just figuratively of course. Having one left foot was never a detriment but not being able to use my right foot at all really hindered my ability to play at any level.

And, the fact that I'm asthmatic didn't exactly help either.

[lamrof]

What a bizarre thread.

The answer for 99.9% of people on this planet is "because I wasn't good enough".
As you see in my case that was the case early on but that changed later in life. I became a very very good player. The more I enjoyed my game and see result the more I loved soccer and the desire to play competively grew with it. I was also working out more. Such as every other day. running hills and for strenght and stamina.
Unfortunately that happened to me later in life.
At 30 I was the best player everywhere I played. Everywhere.

Hope some young soul will learn from us.

[Matt Clark]

Right, so you were the best player you knew. You still weren't good enough to play professionally. I know tons of players who are outstanding by the standards of the game as they now play it - most of them have some form of brief (or even prolonged) flirtation with the professional game in their past. But none of them are good enough to have made it.

[king_saladin]

I was talented, but had to stop around 12 for health reasons. I highly doubt I would have been 'division 1' material though anyway.

And if I was able to keep playing, I probably wouldn't have been properly exposed to the ways and knowledge of developing myself to full potential, like they know in places such as England or Holland.

[lamrof]

Right, so you were the best player you knew. You still weren't good enough to play professionally. I know tons of players who are outstanding by the standards of the game as they now play it - most of them have some form of brief (or even prolonged) flirtation with the professional game in their past. But none of them are good enough to have made it.

"Right, so you were the best player you knew." Nope, Romario was better. :D

Seriously though, I believe I would have made it big if the changes in my attitude took place early on. Better yet, if there was no chnage but the inspiration happned to me early as a kid.
In addition, I am also saying one can change his/her game later in life.

The other point is, I wouldn't have asked this question for say, American football, Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, because 99.9999999% of the reply would be "I was not big enough"

[lamrof]

I was talented, but had to stop around 12 for health reasons. I highly doubt I would have been 'division 1' material though anyway.

And if I was able to keep playing, I probably wouldn't have been properly exposed to the ways and knowledge of developing myself to full potential, like they know in places such as England or Holland.

For most older Americans the answer is simple. Living in the US itself is an impediment. "No professional leauge unitl recently"