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Many young footballers say they want to become professionals. They dream of big clubs, packed stadiums, and their names being known in the football world. But between dreaming and achieving lies a long road – a road where the most valuable resource isn’t money or talent, but time.
"DON'T COUNT THE DAYS – MAKE THE DAYS COUNT" – WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
This quote is more than just a motivational slogan. It’s a reminder that each day only counts if you make it count. Counting days means passively waiting: for a chance, for the right moment, for luck. But in football – if you want to be a professional – you can’t afford to wait. You have to act. Every day.
HAVE A SPECIFIC TRAINING PLAN – AND STICK TO IT
Without a plan, every day looks the same. Training "when you feel like it" wastes your potential. Every week should have a main goal (e.g., improving ball control, 1v1s, movement off the ball) and specific tasks. Write down what you do. Track your progress. It’s not about quantity – it’s about quality.
TREAT RECOVERY AND SLEEP AS PART OF YOUR TRAINING
A tired, sleep-deprived body doesn’t grow – it just survives. Don’t count your hours on the pitch if you're not taking care of yourself off it. Eight hours of sleep, hydration, stretching, nutrition – these are your duties as a professional, not optional extras.
LEARN OFF THE PITCH: ANALYSIS, OBSERVATION, MENTAL GROWTH
Physical training alone is not enough. Watch matches, analyze players in your position, read about tactics. Learn from your mistakes. Train your mind – mental toughness, focus, emotional control are key foundations of top-level football.
ELIMINATE TIME-WASTERS
Endless scrolling on TikTok, mindless gaming, hours on your phone – those are minutes and hours you will never get back. If you truly want to be a professional, then every day must serve your goal. You don’t have to be a robot – but you do need awareness: how much time are you wasting, and how much are you investing?
DON’T LOOK FOR EXCUSES – LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS
Bad weather, no pitch, injury, school – these can be obstacles, but real professionals always find a way. If you can’t train on the pitch – train at home. If you’re injured – develop other aspects of your game. There’s always something you can do.
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO THINK LIKE YOU
If you're always in an environment where people waste time, you’ll waste it too. Find at least one person you can train with, support each other, stay motivated. Professionalism is born in groups, but it starts with the individual.
CONCLUSION: TIME IS YOUR MOST VALUABLE FUEL
If you truly want to become a professional footballer, start by taking full control of what you do with each day. Don’t wait for a miracle. Don’t delay your ambition. You have today – and today is when you must act.
Because if the days don’t count, entire years will be wasted.
