C
Clarity News Hub

Is it too late to become a professional football player?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 23, 2026

If you are 17 years old and would like to become a footballer, the good news is it is not too late for you. At 17 years old, you can start gaining maturity, learn, and make it happen. But you will need focus, will, persistence, consistency and hard work to become a pro footballer.

At what age is it too late to become a professional footballer?

There're multiple factors that affect one's ability to become a pro player. However, considering that soccer is a sport that requires one to develop through different stages, it's, generally, too late to become a professional player when you're past 23 years old.

What is the max age to play football?

There have only been just over 40 professional football players who have continued to play after reaching the age of 40. Football is one of the few sports where the players usually quit playing while they're still in their 30s, and possibly even younger if they're seriously injured.

Is it hard to become a professional football player?

The numbers show the competitiveness of the professional game. Out of the children who enter academies at the age of nine, less than one percent will make it as a professional footballer at any level.

What age do professional footballers start?

Becoming a pro footballer doesn't happen overnight, it takes graft. Most footballers are scouted before the age of 13 from county leagues, so you need to put in the work from a young age to make sure you stand a chance of succeeding.

15 related questions found

Is 14 too old to start soccer?

Is 14 too old to start soccer? You can start playing soccer at 14, If you've been playing other sports – your body has developed the fundamental coordination skills required. But you'll need to put in the hard work to catch up.

Can I be a footballer at 25?

The only age requirement for professional football contracts is that the player must be 16 or older. So yes, at the age of 26 you can sign a contract.

How likely is it to become a footballer?

From all the children who play in academies at the age of nine, fewer than 1% will make it professional at any level of the game. Only 180 from 1.5 million youth footballers in the UK are likely to make it all the way to the Premier League.

How do you go pro in football?

How to Become a Professional Footballer: 10 Vital Tips

  1. Devote Yourself to the Game. ...
  2. Learn the Sport Inside Out. ...
  3. Train Regularly. ...
  4. Run Every Day. ...
  5. Do Exercises to Increase Your Speed. ...
  6. Learn to Play with Both Feet. ...
  7. Learn from the Professionals. ...
  8. Move Through Graduate Levels.

What are the odds of becoming a professional football player?

The drop off from college to the pros is even more dramatic: only 1.2% college-level players will get drafted to the NFL. Even then, being a successful professional athlete is yet another hurdle to tackle.

Can a 15 year old play U17 football?

Under 15 – the player must be under the age of 15 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season. Under 16 – the player must be under the age of 16 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season. Under 17 – the player must be under the age of 17 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season.

Is 40 too old to play football?

Science has proven that you are never too old to play football. However, it won't come as a surprise that as you get older the risk of injuries increases. This is true for any sport.

Can you make it pro at 17?

If you are 17 years old and would like to become a footballer, the good news is it is not too late for you. At 17 years old, you can start gaining maturity, learn, and make it happen. But you will need focus, will, persistence, consistency and hard work to become a pro footballer.

Can you get scouted at 14?

You can get scouted in football from the ages of 7 until 22 and most of the players get scouted by football academies at 13. There isn't necessarily a specific age when you're too old to get scouted, however, the oldest age for you to be scouted normally is the early twenties.

Is it too late to play soccer 16?

Is it too late to learn to play soccer? Its never too late to start playing soccer unless you are so old and out of shape that you can't run at all. ... Now if you mean to the point where you can play for a college team, high level club or professionally, you would need to start very young.

How do you know if your a good soccer player?

Here is what makes an elite soccer player:

  1. Excellent Conditioning. ...
  2. Excellent Ball Handling Skills. ...
  3. Strong, powerful legs. ...
  4. Excellent mental toughness (abililty to stay focused, determination, competitive spirit, ability to perform under pressure)
  5. Strong, but not over developed arms.
  6. Team oriented (not ball hogs)

How do you become a footballer at 14?

How to Become a Footballer at 14: Climbing Up the Steps to Going Professional

  1. Find your natural playing position.
  2. Join a local football team.
  3. Dedicate time to practice.
  4. Watch over your diet.
  5. Create a football CV.
  6. Apply for trials.

How can I go pro in soccer?

Key Points:

  1. First you get on a club/travel team and do really well. The best travel team you can be on is the one you want to be on. ...
  2. Try out for ODP. ...
  3. Play college soccer! ...
  4. Attend a paid pro try out or combine. ...
  5. Accept the odds are against you. ...
  6. Put yourself in the right situations to get lucky.

How many Academy players make it pro?

Of the 16-year-olds who played for elite academies from 2017 to 2019, almost four in five received a professional contract or had their contract extended. And almost three-quarters of the 2019/20 academy Under 18s were handed a professional deal or an extension.

What percentage of soccer players go pro?

Want some concrete statistics? In the United States, even if you do everything right and are good enough to get a prestigious full-ride scholarship to college, only 1.7 percent of college soccer players end up playing professionally. (And only 0.08 percent of high school players play professionally.)

What age did Ronaldo start playing soccer?

Ronaldo started playing football at Andorinha when he just seven years old.