For young soccer players aspiring to play at the professional level, taking ownership of their individual development is crucial. While coaches, trainers, and structured team environments provide guidance, the responsibility ultimately falls on the player to maximize their potential.
When I evaluate the current group of players that I work with, I have two former players that I consistently use as benchmarks. One is Theo Corbeanu, who went on to sign a four year contract with Wolves in the EPL and is currently playing for Toronto FC - on loan from Spanish club Grenada CF.
The other player is Keito Lipovschek who spent two years at Fleetwood Town in England and ended up signing for their professional club in Dubai. Keito has now signed for Hamilton Forge in the CPL for the 2025 season.
Both players successfully transitioned to play for professional clubs in Europe because they were fully committed and dedicated towards professional football in Europe. Theo shared some great insights into this during a podcast with our young players in 2022.
He spent a lot of time, like Keito, training by himself to perfect his technical skills and improve his physical attributes towards the performance demands of professional football. In addition, he made a conscious choice to dedicate his life to maximizing his potential as an athlete.
This involved eating the right things, getting enough sleep and on occasions not socializing as much with friends - as they were on different pathways.
Both players were consistent with their motivation, something that the former manager, Arsene Wenger has spoken of, and took full ownership of their individual development.
“Every major sport has become a world sport and selection is worldwide. When I grew up, you need to be best player in your area. Today, if you want to go to a big club, you need to be one of the best players in the world. I think that demands a special personality.” (Arsene Wenger)
Here’s why taking ownership is so essential for any young player:
1. Work Ethic and Discipline
Professional-level players separate themselves through relentless work ethic. Those who take ownership commit to extra training, proper nutrition, and recovery outside of team practices.
Consistency in habits, such as early morning workouts or staying after practice for extra drills, develops discipline and mental toughness.
2. Self-Motivation
External motivation (coaches, parents, teammates) can only push a player so far. Internal motivation—setting personal goals and striving to improve daily—determines long-term success.
Players who take responsibility for their development are proactive in seeking feedback, analyzing performances, and working on weaknesses.
3. Technical and Tactical Growth
Professional soccer requires mastery of technical skills such as dribbling, passing, finishing, and first touch. A self-driven player dedicates extra time to perfecting these skills.
Understanding tactics is just as important. Watching professional games, studying positioning, and learning game intelligence give players an edge.
4. Physical and Mental Development
Strength, speed, agility, and endurance must be developed outside of regular team training. Committing to strength and conditioning programs can give players a physical advantage.
Mental resilience, focus, and confidence are key traits of elite players. Those who take ownership invest in mindset training, visualization, and handling pressure effectively.
5. Personal Responsibility in Career Progression
Networking with scouts, attending trials, and creating highlight reels are all steps players must take on their own. Relying solely on a coach or club limits opportunities.
Seeking out individual coaching, joining high-performance programs, and making sacrifices (e.g., moving to a stronger club or academy) show initiative and commitment.
6. Accountability and Growth Mindset
Players who take ownership don’t make excuses or blame others for setbacks. Instead, they analyze mistakes, learn from them, and adjust their approach.
A growth mindset—viewing challenges as opportunities to improve—separates those who stagnate from those who rise to the professional level.
Conclusion
Aspiring to be a professional soccer player means going beyond what is required. Players who take full responsibility for their growth, train with purpose, and continuously seek improvement position themselves ahead of the competition. While talent is important, personal ownership of development is what turns potential into reality.
