🚨 Why Some Footballers Never Improve (And How to Fix It)

Every young footballer dreams of making it to the next level—whether that’s playing pro, earning a scholarship, or simply dominating at their level. But the truth is, most players stay stuck. They train, they play, they watch football… but they never actually improve.

Why?

It’s not because they lack talent. It’s not because they don’t work hard. It’s because they make the same mistakes over and over again.

If you feel like you’re not improving, this might be why. And more importantly—I’ll show you how to fix it.

1. Training Without Purpose

You ever see a player go to the field, juggle the ball a bit, take a few shots, then leave? Yeah, that’s not training.

A lot of players go through the motions instead of training with a clear plan. They focus on what they’re already good at instead of improving weaknesses.

🔹 Example: Cristiano Ronaldo – When he was younger, he wasn’t just doing fancy skills all day. He would stay after training working on his weak foot, free kicks, and heading ability—things that actually made him unstoppable.

How to Fix It:

✅ Train with a clear focus (e.g., weak foot passing, first-touch drills, game-speed finishing).
✅ Record yourself to track progress and analyze mistakes.
✅ Push yourself in every session—don't just go through the motions.

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2. Playing Without Thinking

Football isn’t just a physical game—it’s a thinking game. Some players work hard but never develop their football IQ.

If you’re always making the same mistakes, not scanning the field, or reacting too slowly, you’re not thinking ahead.

🔹 Example: Kevin De Bruyne – He wasn’t the fastest or strongest player, but he became world-class by improving his decision-making, movement, and passing vision.

How to Fix It:

✅ Watch full matches, not just highlights—focus on player movement.
✅ Pause games and ask yourself, What should this player do next?
✅ Train your awareness—scan before receiving the ball, anticipate plays, and learn to think one step ahead.

3. Ignoring Physical Development

Some players rely too much on their natural ability. But if you’re not fast, strong, or fit enough, you won’t survive against elite players.

🔹 Example: Lionel Messi – Very Early in his career, he was getting knocked off the ball. So what did he do? He improved his balance, agility, and explosiveness so defenders couldn’t touch him.

How to Fix It:

✅ Focus on speed, strength, and agility alongside technical training.
✅ Work on explosiveness (short sprints, plyometrics, resistance training).
✅ Get in the gym—don’t neglect your body.

If you're passionate about football and eager to deepen your knowledge, you might find these newsletters intriguing:

1. The High Performance Brief: Delve into life-changing ideas and actions designed to help you embrace challenges, reframe failures, and unlock your full potential.

2. Playmaker FC: Aspiring to play college soccer? Playmaker FC offers weekly recruiting tips, resources, and expert analysis to help you or your child catch the attention of college soccer coaches.

3. The Transfer Flow: Stay ahead with free transfer news, rumors, and smart analysis from industry insiders. They’ll tell you when your Director of Football should be fired.

Feel free to explore these resources to see if they align with your interests.

4. Poor Mindset & Weak Mentality

Some players crumble under pressure, get lazy after small success, or don’t believe they can improve. Your mindset can make or break you.

🔹 Example: Erling Haaland – His confidence is unreal. Even if he misses chances, he doesn’t get discouraged. That’s why he’s always in the right place to score.

How to Fix It:

✅ Build resilience – Don’t let mistakes affect your game. Learn and move on.
✅ Train under pressure – Add challenges in training so match situations feel easier.
✅ Develop confidence – Remind yourself why you started and trust your training.

Final Thoughts

If you feel stuck, it’s not because you’re not talented. It’s because something in your training, thinking, or mentality is holding you back. The best players constantly identify their weaknesses and improve them.

So ask yourself right now:

💡 Am I training with purpose?
💡 Am I developing my football IQ?
💡 Am I physically preparing myself for the next level?
💡 Do I have the right mindset?

If the answer is no to any of those, it’s time to change. Because the players who fix these things? They’re the ones who go pro.

Stay Sharp,
Fervi