For non-European players, breaking into the professional game overseas can feel impossible without an EU passport.
But there’s a proven path. In this episode, we walk through the exact step-by-step process that helps players overcome visa barriers, land trials, and secure contracts abroad.
From choosing the right countries to building a standout profile, you’ll learn how to navigate the system and create opportunities; even when the odds are stacked against you.
The U.S. system is stacked against late bloomers and overlooked players chasing a professional career.
In this episode, we break down why staying in the States makes it almost impossible to go pro; and what you need to do instead.
From the flaws in college soccer to the realities of the American pathway, we expose the hard truths most players don’t want to hear.
If you’re serious about signing a contract, this is the wake-up call that could change your future.
Most players are told their dream is over by their mid-20s; but 7MLC proved otherwise.
At 30 years old, he signed his first professional contract, defying every expectation. In this episode, we unpack his late-bloomer journey, the relentless work behind it, and the lessons any player chasing the pro dream can apply.
If you’ve ever felt like time is running out, this story shows it’s never too late to make it happen.
Going from U.S. Division 3 college soccer to the Bundesliga sounds impossible; but it’s been done.
In this episode, we dive into the journey of an American player who climbed from the overlooked D3 level all the way to Germany’s top flight.
You’ll hear the mindset shifts, sacrifices, and strategic moves that made the leap possible.
If you’ve ever been told your level or background isn’t enough, this story will change the way you see what’s possible in football.
Most players believe you need an agent, a big academy background, or powerful connections to sign your first pro deal.
The truth?
You don’t.
In this episode, we reveal how overlooked footballers break through without a network of contacts.
From building your own opportunities, to crafting a standout profile, to landing trials the smart way; you’ll learn the exact steps that turn underdogs into professionals.
If you’ve ever felt like the odds are stacked against you, this episode proves you can still make it happen.
Playing for Lyon How to Turn PRO No Matter Where You're From!
In this episode you will hear the story of what it was like to play for Lyon and the lessons learned on the journey to becoming a professional. We break down the mindset, training habits, and career moves that prove it does not matter where you come from or what path you take, there is always a way to reach the pro level.
If you are chasing a contract this conversation will give you practical steps and the belief that your background does not define your ceiling.
From Being Told He'd Never Make It, To Playing In Bundesliga...
This is the story of a player who was counted out early in his career and told he would never make it. Instead of giving up he used that doubt as fuel and went on to play in one of the best leagues in the world, the Bundesliga.
In this episode we dive into his journey, the setbacks he had to overcome, and the mindset that carried him through. It is a powerful reminder that belief, persistence, and hard work can take you further than anyone else’s opinion.
Stop Asking for Trials, Do THIS to Get Signed Instead!
Most players waste years begging for trials and never get the chance they are chasing. In this episode I break down the smarter approach that actually gets you noticed and signed. You will learn how to build leverage as a player, the strategies scouts and agents really respect, and the steps you can take today to stand out without sending thousands of unanswered messages.
If you are serious about going pro this will completely change the way you think about trials and give you a clear path to creating real opportunities.
How to Defend Against Messi [Jay DeMerit Story]
Former USMNT captain Jay DeMerit shares his story of what it was really like to go up against Lionel Messi on the pitch. From the preparation to the mindset to the reality of trying to stop the best player in the world this is an inside look at a once in a lifetime challenge.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to face greatness head on this story will give you a glimpse into the mentality and experience of defending at the highest level.
What it Actually Takes to Sign at FC Barcelona
Everyone dreams of playing for a club like FC Barcelona but few truly understand the level it takes to get there. In this clip we break down what it really means to sign at one of the biggest clubs in the world. From the insane technical standards to the discipline and sacrifice off the pitch to the mindset that separates the world class from the almost made its, you’ll hear the truth behind the Barça badge.
If you’ve ever wondered how close you are to that level or what you need to change to get there this clip will open your eyes to the reality of elite football.
24 Tips to Succeed at a Pro Trial:
Every footballer dreams of getting their shot at a professional trial; but the truth is, most players blow their opportunity before it even really begins. In this episode, I break down 24 of the most important tips I’ve learned from my own career as a player, GM, and agent.
From the small details that scouts are secretly watching, to the mindset and habits that separate the ones who sign from the ones who get sent home; I cover it all.
Whether you’ve got a trial lined up or you’re preparing for your first chance, this episode will give you a clear roadmap on how to stand out, stay ready, and make the most of the opportunity.
These are practical, battle-tested lessons you won’t find in a Google search; straight from real experience in the professional game.
In the final part of this series, I close out the story of my failed attempt to build a professional football club in Latvia.
This is where everything came to a head; the breaking point, the fallout, and the moment I had to walk away.
I share the hardest lessons I took from the experience, how I processed the failure, and why it ultimately became one of the most important turning points in my career.
Part 3 isn’t just about endings, it’s about what happens next. I talk about how I rebuilt myself after the collapse, how the lessons from that journey shaped the way I now approach business and football, and why failure can sometimes be the foundation for your biggest future wins.
If you’ve been following Parts 1 and 2, this episode ties it all together; the vision, the downfall, and the perspective I gained from the entire journey.
In Part 2, I continue the story of my attempt to build a professional football club in Latvia, picking up where things started to spiral.
I dive into the politics, the broken promises, and the behind-the-scenes chaos that made progress almost impossible. I talk about the mistakes I made as a young GM, the battles I didn’t see coming, and the moments where I realized the dream was slipping away.
This episode is raw and honest. It’s not just about what went wrong; it’s about the lessons that came out of failure: how to navigate football’s politics, how to protect yourself when money and power are involved, and how to stay grounded when everything feels like it’s falling apart.
If Part 1 was the vision and the spark, Part 2 is the crash course in reality, and why those experiences shaped how I now build RicFit and guide players chasing their dreams.
In this episode, I open up about one of the toughest chapters of my football journey; my attempt to build a professional club from the ground up in Latvia. I share the vision I had, the steps I took, and the early momentum that made me believe it could actually happen.
But I also reveal the hidden challenges; financial struggles, cultural barriers, and the realities of running a club in a foreign country, that slowly unraveled everything.
This isn’t just a story about failure. It’s about lessons learned the hard way, what it takes to build something real in football, and why sometimes your biggest setbacks can teach you more than your wins ever could.
If you’ve ever thought about starting a club, managing one, or just wondered what goes on behind the scenes, this episode will give you the unfiltered truth.
In this episode of How to Become a Professional Footballer, we sit down with Charlie Kelman; a player who’s lived the journey every underdog dreams of.
From his rise at Southend United to making the leap into the professional game, Charlie shares the raw truth about what it actually takes to break through.
If you’ve ever felt overlooked, doubted, or like time is running out on your career, this conversation will hit home. Charlie opens up about:
The sacrifices behind his journey to the pros
What separates players who make it from those who don’t
How to handle setbacks and keep pushing when doors keep closing
The mindset every late-blooming footballer needs to succeed
This is more than just a story; it’s a blueprint for every hungry player chasing their shot at the professional game.
Every footballer dreams of signing their first professional contract. But very few actually make it, not because they are not talented enough, but because they do not understand the process.
In this special 3 hour masterclass of How to Become a Professional Footballer, we break down everything you need to know to go from overlooked to signed. This is the complete blueprint for players who feel like they are running out of time and opportunities but still believe in their dream.
In this masterclass we cover:
• How to identify the right markets and clubs for your level
• The exact steps to reach out to agents and clubs the right way
• How to create a highlight video coaches and scouts will actually watch
• The networking strategies that get you callbacks and trials
• How to fund your football career through remote income so you can keep chasing opportunities
• What coaches and clubs really look for in overlooked players
• The mindset and discipline you must have to stand out and earn that first deal
This is not theory, it is the proven system that underdog players have used to sign their first professional contracts.
⚽ If you are serious about making football your career, this 3 hour masterclass will show you exactly how to get your foot in the door and finally sign your first pro deal.
What does it really take for female footballers to reach their peak performance and stand out in the modern game?
In this episode of How to Become a Professional Footballer, Ireland international Hayley Nolan shares her journey and the lessons she has learned about maximizing performance as a female player. With the growth of women’s football worldwide, the competition is tougher than ever — which means players need to be smarter, more disciplined, and more prepared to reach the top.
In this conversation we cover:
• Hayley’s path to becoming a professional and representing her country
• The biggest mistakes female players make in their training and how to fix them
• How to fuel your body for both performance and longevity
• Recovery strategies that prevent burnout and injuries
• Mindset shifts that separate good players from great ones
• How to stand out to coaches and scouts in an increasingly competitive environment
If you are a female footballer with big ambitions, this episode will give you the tools and strategies you need to perform at your absolute best.
⚽ Whether your goal is college, professional, or international football, this conversation with Hayley Nolan will help you unlock your next level.
What does it take to run a first division football club and make the tough decisions that shape players’ careers?
In this episode of How to Become a Professional Footballer, we go inside the mind of the owner of FK Metta in Latvia. FK Metta is one of the most respected development clubs in Europe, known for giving opportunities to young and overlooked players to break into the professional game.
In this conversation we explore:
• What club owners really look for when signing players
• How financial and business realities affect player opportunities
• The differences between running a club in smaller European markets compared to the big leagues
• Why clubs like FK Metta are a hidden pathway for underdog players chasing a pro career
• The mindset players need to stand out to decision makers at the highest level
If you have ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a professional club and what owners look for when evaluating talent, this episode will give you an insider’s perspective.
⚽ For players who feel overlooked or unsure where to start, this is a chance to learn exactly how to get on the radar of the people who make the decisions.
In this episode Jack Harrison shares the exact pre game routine that prepares him to perform at the highest level in the Premier League. From nutrition and recovery to mindset and focus you’ll hear what goes into his preparation before stepping onto the pitch.
This is a rare behind the scenes look at how a top professional gets ready for match day and what you can learn to apply to your own game.
What is it like to defend Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo; two of the greatest players of all time; and sustain an 18 year professional career at the top level?
In Episode 114 of How to Become a Professional Footballer, Adrian Mariappa pulls back the curtain on life as a true veteran of the game. From the Premier League to international football, Mapps shares the secrets behind his longevity and the mindset that kept him competing with the best year after year.
In this episode, we cover:
• What it was like marking Messi and Ronaldo on the pitch
• The habits and discipline that allowed him to play professionally for nearly two decades
• Lessons from captaining and representing Jamaica on the international stage
• The realities of sustaining a career when younger players are always fighting for your spot
• His advice for overlooked and late blooming players who want to build a career that lasts
This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who has lived the dream at the highest level and stayed there.
⚽ If you are serious about going pro this episode will show you what it really takes to build a career with staying power.