Q&A for How to Become a Professional Soccer Player

You have to use those discouragements to make you work harder. Prove them wrong!

Have faith that you can do this. Make the most of YouTube videos and books about soccer playing to learn all that you can. Practice in your yard and the local park. Join a local team and if your parents are not supportive, earn the money to pay for it and the gear yourself. Don't go around telling people you plan on becoming professional yet -- keep that to yourself until you are such a shining star at it that it becomes evident to coaches and others that you need to go further.

You have to believe in yourself and know that you can do very well. Once you do something good the first time (win the ball or make a good pass), you get more confident for future times.

Don't let others make you lose your confidence. You have to stay mentally strong. Get a mentor and try to train and accept positive criticism.

To improve your game, practice daily and also learn and practice new skills from time to time.

Search for teams near your area, contact them, and attend training sessions to see if you want to join.

Look for soccer clubs near you and find out what you need to do to join and what payments are expected. Send them an email with any questions you may have. Talk to your parents about the possibility of joining a club to find out how they are prepared to help you. If you have friends already in a club, ask them for advice.

They can but they probably wouldn't. If you want to become famous in a sport, stay in school. This reflects the reality that most people won't make it to the professional level but will need to find another real job to be getting on with. It's okay to dream and strive but it's sensible to have a Plan B too.

Professional clubs have brought multiple soccer camps to countries such as India. Look for one closest to you and ask if they can accommodate a sub-group in your area, perhaps run by local parents or interested adults.

It will definitely help, but you'll still have to work hard and train every day if you want to be a professional player.

Gain the confidence of your team. If they think that you know what you are doing, they are most likely to encourage you.

Talk to your coach and ask why this is happening. Your coach may recommend working on a specific skill, strategy or even your attitude. Work hard to improve to gain more playing time.

Yes, you should still get an education.

It depends on what exactly you're training for, how intense the training is, etc. However, if you're looking to become a professional, one hour isn't enough.

It depends on your age and your technique. Try to hit the ball in the middle and slightly downward.

Most professional players receive contracts between the ages of 17 and 22.

Get good grades, follow the rules, and tell them it is your dream to be a pro soccer player.

Short sprints with not much rest in between. Stretch daily, and increase muscle mass in your legs using weights, which will give you more power.

Keep working and training hard. However, it does depend on what your injury is and how it impacts your play, so be realistic.

To get in a camp, look for one near you. Consider whether you're really ready, then contact the owner by emailing or phoning. You will need to be able to afford the fees and in some cases, you need to book well in advance to get in, as many people want to attend.

Go to trials for a good club and there will be scouts there.

Yes. If you didn't know, there is a women's national soccer team. Just work hard and keep practicing!

Yes, you can indeed become a professional soccer player from college. In fact, in the US, this is very highly recommended and is often a path to professional soccer (as you'll go from a university team).

You are most likely nervous, which reflects a lack of confidence. To gain confidence, train more with and without the ball until you become more comfortable.

If you work hard and play with dedication, then you might be picked by one of the teams for free! There might also be scholarships available to help with costs.

A striker receives the ball from the midfielder, defender, or goalkeeper. He is usually the player to score.

Pay no attention to him. Continue to work hard to prove to yourself (not to him!) that you can do it.

Be patient. The time might come. If not, send an application to a professional club stating your personal details, what club you play in and your next fixture. The club of your choice will send one of their scouts to you.

Practice soccer every day and add a lot of cardiovascular exercises into your routine. Make sure you are eating healthy foods, which means lowering your amount of sugary and fatty foods and increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables. Drink mostly water and cut out juice and pop. These steps alone will help you lose weight, get in shape, and improve your soccer skills!

If you want to choose your position yourself, then practice and prove that you are perfect for that position.