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Mental toughness in football is a platform for character development and personal growth especially for youth players.

While young players develop their physical skills on the pitch, they must also cultivate mental toughness to overcome various challenges they’ll face.

In football, perhaps the most defying characteristic of an elite athlete is their level of mental toughness. Mental toughness refers to an athlete’s ability to persist in the face of challenges, mistakes, and failure.

Eberechi Eze, a Premier League player currently with Crystal Palace, exemplifies the resilience and mental toughness essential to succeed in football.

Eze was released by Arsenal in 2011, released by Fulham in 2013, released by Reading in 2014 and again by Millwall in 2016.

However, this did not stop him chasing his dream and he ended up playing over 100 games for QPR before joining Crystal Palace in 2020.

In 2023 Eze made his debut for England vs Malta

According to a Trine University article, mental toughness is necessary in order to play at the elite level; factors influencing the extent, include self-determined motivation, environmental and surrounding factors, along with other personal forces such as persistence and optimistic thinking. 

Below are 7 reasons why young players have to be mentally tough.

1. Reacting to Not Being Selected

One of the most challenging moments in a young footballer’s journey is not being selected for a game or starting line-up.

Rejection can be disheartening, but it’s essential to emphasise that it’s a part of the game.

Players don’t realise that their body language is like a billboard showing their toughness level.

– Ron Naclero

Developing mental toughness in this situation involves understanding that setbacks are opportunities for growth and experience.

A lot of standout young players only start to experience not being selected the older they get.

In the case of a young player sent out on loan to gain experience, they may experience not being selected. An example is the case of Charlie O’Connell who went on loan to Woking in the National League.

Unfortunately Charlie did not get the expected game time during his loan.

Young players should ask for feedback and work on improving the aspects of their game that may need attention.

Many legendary footballers faced rejection before rising to the top.

Young players are the first to be sacrificed during team selection regardless of their ability especially when the team is not playing well.

2. Dealing with Injuries

Injuries are an unfortunate but common occurrence in football.

They can be emotionally and physically draining for young players.

Building mental toughness means staying positive during recovery and focusing on rehabilitation.

We must emphasise the importance of patience and persistence. Help players set realistic goals for their recovery.

Find non-football related activities to take their mind of not able to play.

3. Meeting Up to Expectations

Youth footballers often face pressure from family, peers and club especially if they are given opportunity higher than their perceived level. .

It is vital to stay grounded and not to succumb to unnecessary mental pressure.

Unfortunately, pressure is part of the game. An ideal action will be to practice relaxation techniques and mental conditioning to relax.

In addition, youth footballers should not let expectations of others distract them.

They should rather focus on their own development.

4. Handling Lack of Experience

In youth football, many players lack the experience of playing against players a lot older than them.  

Suddenly they have to play against seasoned pros with tricks of the “dark arts” of men’s football.

Young players should view each match, practice, and interaction as an opportunity to gain valuable experience.

It is recommended to seek advice from seasoned players, learn from mistakes, and stay dedicated to continuous improvement.

5. Coping with Social Media Criticism

In the age of social media, young footballers are also exposed to criticism and scrutiny from fans and followers.

Negative comments and online trolling can be demoralizing.

Teaching mental toughness means helping players develop resilience against such negativity.

Emphasize the importance of disconnecting from social media during crucial periods, focusing on the opinions of trusted close associates, and maintaining a strong support network of family and friends who provide positivity.

6. Recovering from Mistakes

Mistakes are an inevitable part of football, and learning to cope with them is essential for mental toughness.

Young players should be taught that making mistakes is not a sign of weakness but an opportunity to gain experience.

How a player reacts immediately after the mistake is very important.  This is when mental toughness is crucial.

Coaches should create a supportive environment where players feel comfortable taking calculated risks and learning from their errors.

Encourage players to adopt a growth mindset, emphasizing that even the best footballers make mistakes.

Football is a process of making mistakes, then analyzing them to get better and not getting frustrated – Johan Cruyff

7. Sacrifices

The sacrifices players make in football are significant but can be very rewarding. Each sacrifice shows unwavering commitment, though it doesn’t always guarantee success on the field.

Missing family events is a big one and players have lost count of how many birthdays and events they’ve missed because of their career.

Skipping Christmas dinner for a Boxing Day game is not uncommon with footballers.

The temptation to overeat and drink is strong, but they must stay disciplined for themselves, their teammates and fans.

The constant pressure to stay fit and perform well, especially on a short-term contract, is stressful.

Having to stay away from home for long periods of time can be very stressful and lonely especially for young players.

Conclusion

An unexpected event like getting injured or not knowing the right people can make it hard for a player to get going.

Sometimes, the timing is off or the opportunity isn’t right for them.

Players should keep trying, improving their skills, and putting themselves out there.

Even with these challenges, many players have succeeded, so it’s important to stay focused, work hard, and create their own opportunities.

With the right guidance and a supportive environment, young footballers can grow into strong, resilient individuals who are well-prepared to face whatever challenges come their way.