Professional soccer players- do you think they stood out at a young age?

[Anonymous]

I’m wondering...for those lucky enough to play professionally, were they always good? Were they always on top teams? Do you think they always stood out from a young age? What percentage of them started out as average players and worked their way up? It’s interesting to me.

[Anonymous]

Some yes, some no. Puberty can do a number on kids, both positive and negative.

[Anonymous]

We all know what you're trying to ask here.

[Anonymous]

1) yes, they were always good. in some cases you can see that they had vastly superior technique levels compared to the average kid as early as U9 or even U8.

2) no, they were not always on top teams to begin with but typically get recruited onto to them eventually

3) very, very few started off as average to begin with. kids that eventually become professionals go for years at a time with 24/7 soccer or are surrounded by it at home. It's not easy to catch up if you start a few years behind to begin with. The exception is goalkeepers who can get away with being multi-sport athletes or convert from another sport.

If you are on a very good team as a kid and you're "average" on that team, then that is about the minimum starting point where it still may be realistic/possible, assuming you start the process of getting serious early enough.

[Anonymous]

13-year-old Olivia Moultrie trains with Portland Thorns
https://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2019/03/13-year-old-olivia-moultrie-trains-with-portland-thorns.html

Olivia Moultrie didn’t look out of place as she ran through drills and jumped into a small-sided scrimmage
with the rest of the Portland Thorns during the first day of the club’s preseason training camp Monday afternoon.

She was the youngest player on the field by at least eight years.

Moultrie, 13, recently made history by becoming the youngest girls’ soccer player to officially forgo her college eligibility to turn pro.
With the support of her parents, she signed a six-figure endorsement deal with Nike and a representation deal with
the Wasserman Media Group, a sports agency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m wondering...for those lucky enough to play professionally, were they always good? Were they always on top teams? Do you think they always stood out from a young age? What percentage of them started out as average players and worked their way up? It’s interesting to me.

Most always stood out, but to every rule there is an exception. Usually the exception is a player who may appear "average" because they started later than their peers, like Salcido, Toni, and Matt Smith (the Australian guy). They do have to have natural talent that may not be apparent to the less skilled eye and then the discipline it takes to train relentlessly enough to catch up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1) yes, they were always good. in some cases you can see that they had vastly superior technique levels compared to the average kid as early as U9 or even U8.

2) no, they were not always on top teams to begin with but typically get recruited onto to them eventually

3) very, very few started off as average to begin with. kids that eventually become professionals go for years at a time with 24/7 soccer or are surrounded by it at home. It's not easy to catch up if you start a few years behind to begin with. The exception is goalkeepers who can get away with being multi-sport athletes or convert from another sport.

If you are on a very good team as a kid and you're "average" on that team, then that is about the minimum starting point where it still may be realistic/possible, assuming you start the process of getting serious early enough.

The real question is how many grow up multi-sport vs. specialized in this new generation...

[Anonymous]

Wasn't Alex Morgan still playing rec soccer at 13? I also think she, like a lot of other USWNT players, was just an exceptional athlete who played several sports.

However, I think one could argue "that was then, this is now" and a girl or boy who is currently 13 and has only played rec soccer has virtually no chance of playing professionally or for a national team. Several reasons for this, some of which were mentioned by prior posters, but there are also a ton more kids playing soccer, and receiving high level coaching, that it just makes it that much harder for a current 13 year old Alex Morgan wannabe to ever get noticed, let alone catch up to her/his peers.

[Anonymous]

Just watched the Steven Gerrard documentary. Very cool to watch videos of him at young ages. Yes, he certainly stood out.

[Anonymous]

You can definitely still play in college though

[Anonymous]

I do think puberty is make or break.

I think they do stand outs at a young age and then with most sports at puberty you see who is going to reach the next level and it can go either way.

A lot of people think their kids are good and some are good relatively speaking but most are not going to be pro athletes. I’ve only seen two true kid sports prodigies in action. One I competed against in HS and she did go to the Olympics. The other I am watching now and waiting to see what happens as puberty approaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do think puberty is make or break.

I think they do stand outs at a young age and then with most sports at puberty you see who is going to reach the next level and it can go either way.

A lot of people think their kids are good and some are good relatively speaking but most are not going to be pro athletes. I’ve only seen two true kid sports prodigies in action. One I competed against in HS and she did go to the Olympics. The other I am watching now and waiting to see what happens as puberty approaches.

And by the way these kids are light years better than everyone else.

[Anonymous]

There are lots of great kids that don't go anywhere, but there are very few kids that make it big that weren't obviously gifted as youngsters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do think puberty is make or break.

I think they do stand outs at a young age and then with most sports at puberty you see who is going to reach the next level and it can go either way.

A lot of people think their kids are good and some are good relatively speaking but most are not going to be pro athletes. I’ve only seen two true kid sports prodigies in action. One I competed against in HS and she did go to the Olympics. The other I am watching now and waiting to see what happens as puberty approaches.

Puberty is part of it however, the best "athlete" in 2nd/3rd grade in my Elementary was still the best when in High School. Seemed to relate to speed as well, both boys and girls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do think puberty is make or break.

I think they do stand outs at a young age and then with most sports at puberty you see who is going to reach the next level and it can go either way.

A lot of people think their kids are good and some are good relatively speaking but most are not going to be pro athletes. I’ve only seen two true kid sports prodigies in action. One I competed against in HS and she did go to the Olympics. The other I am watching now and waiting to see what happens as puberty approaches.

My sibling was a pro soccer player, full college offers from all over the country, and brief International play, stood out very young. But, he didn't come into full height 6'2" until late. He was playing with men by 13--and dominating before he hit full growth. But--the BIGGEST factor- was how much he practiced and trained on his own---hours upon hours. Nobody told him to go out there. He was always training and conditioning. He was also a bit nuts, fearless and unreal in his competitiveness. He had a great deal of varied coaching/mentors who trained for free--it wasn't robotic like the Clubs/DA today.

Genetics are a biggie. He hit the genetic jackpot. Unbelievably quick, agile and fast. But, once that is even---how much time you put in on your own is what tips the balance.

I also know only one kid, not a soccer player, that has a pro father and several pro Uncles that I could see by Kindergarten was a natural. Now an 8th grade playing with upper HS players. No doubt, he will make it. And he wants it.

None of my soccer playing kids' friends or themselves, practice and train on their own even 1/16th of what my sibling did, even the DA kids that I know. He literally was outside all hours, all weather, outside of formal training with a ball, doing conditioning, perfecting scoring from corners, etc.

One of my kids has Uncle's agility, natural quickness, ease with the ball, but there is no way he will ever achieve that level unless he develops the passion from within to be out there doing it daily. He currently has too many competing interests and I don't see it which is totally fine. You need to follow your own passions.