Professional soccer player

Duties and Responsibilities: A professional soccer does the following: Play for a team, represent that team, and have fame which isn't

really important but they have fame. Also soccer players think quickly, swiftly, are fast, build up to higher teams, train physically, and work on team skills. Your day-to-day activities would vary depending on the level of your team, but at all levels you would: play in matches against other teams in your league, attend regular training sessions to improve your skills and general fitness, work on tactics, sometimes watching videos of matches to analyze your strengths and weaknesses, work with specialists such as physiotherapists, sports psychologists, coaches and your team manager, and take advice on diet and lifestyle from nutritionists and doctors. As a top player you may also give media interviews and be paid to promote products by appearing in adverts. At all levels, you might take part in work in the community, such as helping to coach local children and attending charity events.

Salary: Professional soccer players can earn from $25,000-$100,000. It really depends on their ranking, what team they are in, how they play, if they stay in the same condition, and if they stay in the peak level of their performance. 

Education: At an Academy or CoE, you would combine football training with general education. This could eventually lead to taking qualifications up to A level standard or equivalent. If you are age 16 to 18, you may be able to train on the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) scheme. You would work towards the Level 3 (NVQ) Diploma in Achieving Excellence in Sports Performance. Throughout your career as a footballer you would need to follow a strict training regime to keep up your skills and general fitness. The average professional playing career is relatively short and for most players is over by their early thirties. It could also be interrupted or cut short by injury. As a Football League, Premiership or Women's Super League player and a member of the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), you can get advice and guidance on educational and vocational courses which will help you prepare for a second career. Coaching, sports science and fitness industry training are popular choices.

Reflection: I would really like to become a professional football player. I think this would be the ideal career for me because I like to stay active, play soccer, and have fun doing so.