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What is your favourite sport, and why is it football? We’ve all tried to imitate our favourite footballers at some point in our lives, right?

Football is a globally popular sport. According to FIFA’s 2006 Big Count survey, there were 265 million active soccer players worldwide, accounting for roughly 4% of the global population. It is not a single country’s practice or dominance. This means that one out of every twenty-five people you meet is directly involved with football, and the figure is increasing by 2 or 3% each year. Football is considered a World Sport. It cuts across barriers like race, language, age, and gender.

Do you aspire to be a Footballer or are you just exploring the field? In either case, you’ve arrived at the right place! This blog discusses the career as a footballer, the necessary skills, the academies to enrol in, the salary, and other requirements for becoming a Footballer. To become a Footballer, follow the blog’s detailed guide.

What does a Footballer do?

Football is a highly competitive sport. The nature of the job requires teamwork and training. The majority of footballers specialise in one position, such as goalkeeper, striker, defender, or midfielder.

The following are examples of typical daily schedules:

  • Physical and dietary education, as well as strength and stamina building through weight lifting, running, and gym work
  • Practising various skills such as ball control, game systems, and positional and set plays.
  • Tactical training, game performance analysis (possibly by viewing video clips from previous matches), anticipating the strengths and weaknesses of the next opponent, and game strategy planning
  • Playing matches.
  • Players may also spend time speaking with the media and doing community service on behalf of the club, such as hospital visits or coaching local children and youth. Some have individual sponsorship contracts.

Job Roles or positions of a Footballer

Every position has a specific task to complete in order to keep the team machine running smoothly.

Defensive Positions: These are the field players who are closest to the goal. They are in charge of guarding the goalie, blocking shots, and preventing the opposing team’s offensive players from passing, receiving, shooting, and scoring. The goalkeeper, also known as the keeper or goalie, is the only player who is permitted to use their hands and arms to block shots and pick up the ball while the game is in progress. These are the defensive line positions:

  • Goalkeeper (GK)
  • Center Back (CB)
  • Fullback (LB, RB)
  • Wingback (LWB, RWB)
  • Sweeper (SW)

Midfield Positions: Midfielders, also known as halfbacks, play mostly in the middle of the field, as you might expect. Midfielders are the gears that connect the defensive and offensive lines, transitioning the ball and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Midfielders typically see the most action during a game. These are the midfield line positions:

  • Defensive Midfielder (DM)
  • Central Midfielder (CM)
  • Attacking Midfielder (AM)
  • Left/Right Midfielder (LM, RM)

Offensive Positions: Forwards, also known as strikers, are the primary attackers who play closest to the opposing goal. Their primary goal is to score as frequently as possible. They are usually the fastest players on the field and must have excellent ball control. They should be able to shoot from any angle, including directly off a pass. Any offensive player must also avoid being offside at all times.

  • Center Forward (CF)
  • Striker (S)
  • Second Striker (SS)

The career path of a Footballer

Although there are many paths to starting your career as a Footballer, here are the ideal ones.

  • Path 1: When you’re in school, join a football academy ➜ Play in competitive tournaments ➜ Become a Footballer
  • Path 2: Complete 10th, 12th or bachelor’s ➜ Join a football academy ➜ Play in competitive tournaments ➜ Become a Footballer

Check out the ‘How to Become a Footballer?‘ blog for a step-by-step guide to becoming a Footballer!

Salary in different stages of a career as a Footballer

  • In India, the average annual salary for a footballer is ₹5,05,283.
  • They also receive an average bonus of ₹12,733.
  • The annual average salary for an entry-level footballer (1-3 years of experience) is ₹3,78,424.
  • A senior-level football player (8+ years of experience), on the other hand, earns an annual average salary of ₹6,25,314.

Skills Required to become a Footballer

The following are some fundamental skills that every footballer should have and constantly work on.

  • Passing and receiving: When it comes to passing and receiving, accuracy is everything. It facilitates open play and ensures consistent progress up the field, which can lead to scoring opportunities.
  • Shooting: Every player, especially attacking players, requires accurate shooting skills.
  • Decision making: It is critical to maintain constant awareness on the field. Pay attention to the positions of players on the field during matches, whether you are playing or just watching, to develop this skill.
  • Dribbling: Dribbling skills refer to a player’s ability to move up and down the field while maintaining complete control of the ball.
  • Heading: The header can be an extremely useful tool for scoring goals both during open play and in dead ball situations. At the same time, it can be used to effectively clear the ball while defending or simply to make a pass.
  • Touch and ball control: Ball control refers to a player’s ability to collect and control the ball with all of their body parts, including their feet, legs, chest, and head. Hands, too, for a goalkeeper.
  • Running off the ball: A player can accomplish a great deal without the ball at his or her feet. A well-timed run in space, for example, can open up multiple attacking opportunities for the team.

Is a Footballer a good career option?

Football is no longer regarded as a dormant sport in India. With the start of the Indian Super League, football is gaining momentum and gaining national attention. It has brought about significant changes in Indian football. Many young people or new faces are now being given opportunities to play football, and grass-roots level courses are being launched across India. The perception of football and other sports in India has changed over time.

According to compensation data, the estimated salary potential for a Footballer will rise by 42% over the next five years.
Want to learn how to further enhance your sports career into an enterprise? Try out our JuniorMBA Entrepreneurship program to learn the required skill needed to build a branded enterprise.

How can I get scouted for football in India?

The All India Football Federation runs a scouting programme across the country with the help of a network of scouts. Scouts look for players based on the needs of the respective Indian National Teams’ coaches (both male and female across age groups). Coaches may invite players to the national camp for additional trials based on scout recommendations.

Aspiring players are strongly encouraged to participate in local competitions such as the AIFF Baby League, inter-School, inter-College, and so on in order to increase their chances of being selected for zonal/district/state-level age-category teams. This increases the likelihood of a player being signed by a Club to participate in the AIFF Youth Leagues.

Top Football Tournaments in India

Here are some of the most popular football tournaments in India that have taken place over the years.

  • Indian Super League (ISL)
  • Durand Cup
  • Subroto Cup
  • IFA Shield
  • Indian Super Cup
  • Santosh Trophy

Courses to upskill as a Footballer

The courses listed below will help you improve your football skills.

  • The Essential Guide To Developing Technical Soccer Players
  • Learn How to Be a GREAT Soccer Player
  • Soccer Conditioning: Test and Improve Player Fitness Levels
  • Train 2 Dominate | The Ultimate Soccer Training Routine
  • Fundamental Soccer Tactics: 7v7, 9v9, 11v11
  • The Ultimate Soccer Guide | Play Like A Pro Soccer Player

Qualifications to become a Footballer

  • Education: Although no formal education is required to play football, it is recommended that you complete as much education as possible as a backup in case you wish to pursue another career. Qualifications are also beneficial when a player’s football career ends and they need to pursue another career. Furthermore, some football academies require students to have finished their 10th grade or have a basic education. degree in mathematics or another closely related field is also suitable.
  • Train and practice regularly: If possible, train every day to improve your football skills. Regular exercise can benefit both your physical and mental health. It can also assist you in learning new techniques and impressing future scouts. Consider going to training camps as soon as possible. You can join training camps and summer camps offered by some clubs or associates. Participating in organised sports or clubs can also help you develop as an athlete.
  • Get ready to meet with talent scouts.: Consider your ability to play as well as your overall attitude before meeting with a talent scout. Have a strong sense of team spirit, assist your teammates, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the sport. When you’re on the field, it’s also critical to stay calm and demonstrate your strengths as a football player. This is especially useful if a talent scout attends a match.

Join a football academy

  • Enroll in a professional academy once you’ve decided to pursue a career in football. These academies play an important role in guiding you toward becoming a successful footballer. Your coach, mentor, and experience will all help you achieve your goal.

References for Footballers

Here are 30 of the best football books to broaden your horizons, improve your knowledge, and deepen your love for this beautiful game.

  • Inverting the Pyramid by Jonathan Wilson
  • One Night in Turin by Pete Davies
  • The Immortals: How My Milan Team Reinvented Football by Arrigo Sacchi
  • Ultra by Tobias Jones
  • The Man Who Saved FC Barcelona by Sue O’Connell
  • Danish Dynamite by Rob Smyth, Lars Eriksen and Mike Gibbons
  • Tears at La Bombonera by Christopher Hylland
  • The Bottom Corner: Hope, Glory and Non-League Football by Nige Tassell
  • The Barcelona Legacy by Jonathan Wilson
  • The Boy on the Shed by Paul Ferris
  • Be Good, Love Brian by Craig Bromfield
  • The Second Half by Roy Keane with Roddy Doyle
  • Football, She Wrote by various authors
  • Fear and Loathing in La Liga by Sid Lowe
  • And it was Beautiful: Marcelo Bielsa and the Rebirth of Leeds United by Phil Hay
  • St. Pauli by Carles Vinas and Natxo Parra
  • A Life Too Short by Ronald Reng
  • Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography
  • Football in Sun and Shadow by Eduardo Galeano
  • The Age of Football by David Goldblatt
  • The Damned Utd by David Peace
  • Hooked: Addiction and the Long Road to Recovery by Paul Merson
  • Football Against The Enemy by Simon Kuper
  • Zonal Marking by Michael Cox
  • 1312: Among the Ultras by James Montague
  • My Life in Red and White by Arsene Wenger
  • Andrea Pirlo: I think therefore I play
  • Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby
  • Das Reboot by Raphael Honigstein
  • Footballer by Kelly Smith and Lance Hardy

Millions of kids aspire to be professional football players, and many of them excel on their school or weekend teams. Devote yourself to the game, practise regularly, and fine-tune your skills if you want to outperform your competitors. In every match, give it your all while remaining calm. Most importantly, have fun when training or playing matches. Best wishes as you start your new football career!

FAQs

Is footballer a good career?

Ans: Yes, because football is no longer considered a dormant sport in India. Football is gaining momentum and national attention with the launch of the Indian Super League. It has had a significant impact on Indian football.

How do footballers start their career?

Ans: Join a school team, district team, or local club and attend training sessions and matches on a regular basis. Keep an eye out for recruiting academies from there. Academies are well worth the competitive entry process because they are known for grooming young players into professionals.

What is the average career of a footballer?

Ans: Players typically sign their first professional contract at the age of seventeen, and the average football career lasts eight years. A football player’s average retirement age is 35 years old.

What do you do as a footballer?

Ans: Day-to-day responsibilities could include:
1. Practising training drills such as passing, shooting, ball control, and free kicks.
2. With playing coaches, analysing areas for skill improvement
3. Working out in the gym to improve your strength and conditioning
4. Viewing videos of opponents’ games

Is playing football a job?

Ans: Yes, it is the most popular sport around the world. Football can be pursued as a career by those who are interested in the sport.

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