THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO BECOMING A PRO FOOTBALLER
HOW TO GO PRO IN 2022
On the verge of giving up on your dreams? This is a sign to keep trying. It can be easy to get discouraged on becoming a professional football player but with the right work ethic, exposure and advice, it is possible. To ensure anyone who is seriously considering the pro route is getting the best advice possible, we compiled tips from a professional football player with experience playing in over 3 continents. If professional football is your goal, take a seat and read along!
Scenario 1 - But not as likely
What's the quickest way to get the attention of top clubs? A professional academy. If you're in an academy and are already stealing the spotlight from others by being a top player in your position, the prospects can be high. Due to already being in the eyes of professionals, it is more likely to get opportunities and exposure quicker. Unfortunately, attending an academy isn't the most accessible nor affordable to most folks. If this is the case for you, that's completely okay! There are other paths that can lead to the same amount of exposure and experience without wasting tons of money and time wp.
The Overview (3 min read time)
If you want to get a jump on understanding the points and mentality watch this video:
Go to Open Tryouts, Open Trials, and Combines
This is probably the most realistic route to get exposure but it doesn't come without its challenges. Given its the most accessible method to showcase skills, many players will show up and compete for the same attention of the three coaches you’re after.
You may leave with a contract or you may not even get enough time in front of coaches to demonstrate what you have to offer. It can definitely be a hit or miss. You could end up wasting time, money and effort. Always research before signing up. Make sure it is a legit tryout or combine to avoid any scams. Check out the cost of registration fees, distance and time spent there. If its feasible and sounds worth it, do it
Work on your CV
First starters, what the heck is a CV? A CV is similar to a resume as it details your experience and job description but it differs as it catalogs your entire career making it a longer document than an average one page resume. Agents and scouts will use a CV to form a mental picture of who you are as a player so it is crucial to have an impressive and organized CV.
What information should be included? Name, height, weight, dominant playing foot, stats, awards and achievement. Add a picture of yourself, preferably an action picture with your current team. It should look something like the info box on the right side of a players Wikipedia page. Still confused? Keep reading for an example below.
Add a video
Your goal is to stand out to anyone who scrolls your CV. They say that a picture says 1000 words, but a video will say a million. Post a 3-5 minute high quality video of your best football highlights. Additionally, agents can get busy and may miss the opportunity to watch you play live, making your CV and video the only way an agent can get to know you.
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The Problem with Joining a Football CV website
The purpose of CV websites is to create a profile and post your CV. It can help expose you to agents and scouts but it relies on waiting on someone coming across your profile and impressing them. It is possible to be “discovered” this way but it may not be the best option if it means you’re just consistently waiting for life to do you a favor.
Should I get an agent and scout?
This is definitely effective as they’ll help you find offers and clubs to play for but only after you’ve reached a certain level. Before this is effective, you have to do the groundwork and build your way up. Once you’ve gotten through the tough part, getting an agent may be convenient for you.
Hopefully this advice encourages you to get out there and get back to hustling. Although the path may not be straight or easy, it is definitely worthwhile once you make it.
THE FULL GUIDE (9 MIN READ)
If you've made it this far, it's because you probably have real aspirations of going pro. To hear an insider perspective, watch the embedded videos as they go over everything mentioned in this guide and more! With that being said, Team Goluremi wishes the best of luck to all who decide to go down this path. Stay focused, stay persistent, and have faith.
Most of the info on going pro doesn't really provide any action steps and I get the sense that most players are a little discouraged in trying to get started.
If you aren’t in a professional academy or a top player in your area it can be complicated trying to break into the market. You most likely have no idea where to start. On top of that, the simple avenues available to you could be expensive and even a complete waste of your time.
So with that in mind I’d like to offer up a few guidelines that should save you some time and money.
Open Tryouts, Open Trials, Combines.
This is the easiest and most available to the general public. And that sucks.
Why?
Because you‘ll be competing with up to 200 other players for the attention of 3 coaches. If you stand out, great, if not, forget about your registration fee, food, travel and hotel money; that’s all gone now. By the way, your registration fee can be anywhere from $150 to $1,000. I could go on and on about the way that these are set up just to make money but I don’t want to discourage anyone from going if you have the means to do so. Players have earned contracts doing this. (GK GOLUREMI Tyler Back earned his first professional contract this way.) It is DEFINITELY possible. However, the odds are stacked against you.
With that in mind here’s one simple example of why clubs do this. My previous Club and hometown MLS club, Sporting Kansas City, had a $258 registration fee. They allow 200 trialists. $258 x 200= $51,600 in 2 days. Enough said.
Joining a Football CV website
Again, a similar problem to the open trials. On these websites you’ll post your CV/Resume and maybe your video. Then, wait for the stars to align and Jose Mourinho to call you and invite you to dinner where you two become best friends and you become one of his “untouchables.’ I’m exaggerating of course…but not by much. You are effectively just waiting for someone to come get you. It’s worked for some players but a proactive approach will take you much farther. Statistically speaking, this is also not your best option.
Contacting the club directly
Maybe you’re thinking it would be better to just contact a club yourself. Try and plead your case and see if that’s enough? It might be. But it will most likely get you nowhere. Clubs have their own way of finding players and it doesn’t involve waiting for players to call. As always, there are exceptions. If the club you’re interested in is in a relatively low league, bordering the pro or semi pro level, they just might let you come out and train with the team. That’s technically progress but not much. There’s a better way.
Agents and Scouts
Okay, so you need an agent? Just Google one and call. Tell them you want to play and sit back and wait for the offers to come rolling in right? Isn’t that how it works?
Well actually…Yes It is.
Once you get to a certain level.
Until then you’re going to need to put in some groundwork. But don’t worry, things should get easier after you’ve got your first contract.
Please, if you only remember a few things from this article, it should be from the information below.
Now that you know that you need an agent, it’s important that you understand what to look out for and what you’ll need to prepare. There’s a lot to consider when speaking to different agents.
CV/ Resume
If you’re reading this you most likely have access to a computer which is perfect because email is generally how agents and scouts receive info on players. Keep it simple:
A photo (preferably action photo of your current team)
Your name, height, weight. dominant playing foot, nationality and which passports you currently hold.
Your stats, awards and achievements (Games played, Goals scored, Etc)
Here's an example:
Forget putting references on your CV. If you have an impressive reference that you think an agent may know then wait until you meet or speak on the phone before you go name-dropping.
The Highlight Video
A short video. About 3-5minutes. Do yourself a favor and get the best quality video you can. Make sure to put your best highlights up front. All of them. Agents do not care...nor do they have the time to bother watching 10 minute videos when they get bombarded with countless messages and email's everyday. Give yourself a fighting chance and front load that video.
If the agent isn’t able to watch you play live, a video and your CV will be the only info the agent has to go off of. He may even need it to convince a coach to invite you for a trial.
If you wanna dive deeper still...
Here are 5 things I wish I was taught before going pro. Enjoy.
