What Education Do You Need to Be a Soccer Player?

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No education is necessary to become a professional soccer player. Cristiano Ronaldo, who has played soccer for Manchester United, is uneducated, although he joined the Sporting Lisbon academy at the age of 12 for training in soccer. Many professional soccer clubs have academies that train young players. Most players are recruited by scouts during soccer matches.

Soccer is a highly physical game that calls for training and exercise to gain the right levels of fitness. Soccer players train to acquire strength, stamina and a competitive mentality. Routine exercises are scheduled even when not playing and intensify in the run-up to matches. Attackers train for sharpness in front of the goal, while defenders watch films of rival teams to craft a counter-strategy.

Aspiring soccer players are encouraged to be active at a grassroots level to stand a chance of getting noticed. They should join local school soccer teams, and work up to higher levels. Usually, soccer clubs have a network of talent scouts at all levels who watch matches to pick out the most gifted players. The scouts select players who demonstrate the right attitude and unique soccer skills while on the pitch. A candidate is put through trials before signing a deal.