4 Lessons I Wish I Learned Before Playing Professional Football

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Timestamps:
0:00-0:17 - Intro
0:17-4:01 - Lesson #1: Levels of Confidence
4:01-6:21 - Lesson #2: The Business Side
6:21-10:15 - Lesson #3: Positive Distractions
10:15-13:20 - Lesson #4: Take Control
13:20-13:52 - Summary and Outro
Sources:
1. Johnny Williams:Netflix - Sunderland 'til I Die - Season 1, Ep. 6
2. Joe Bryan: www.espn.com/soccer/fulham/st...
3. Secret Footballer #1: www.theguardian.com/football/...
4. Gareth Bale: www.theguardian.com/lifeandst...
5. Secret Footballer #2: www.theguardian.com/football/...
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About Me
Name: Matt Sheldon
Age: 29
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 170 lbs
Nationality: USA
Job: Professional Soccer Player
Current Team: Charleston Battery
Current League: USL Championship (USA 2nd Tier)
Last Team: FC Tulsa
Previous Teams: Tulsa Roughnecks, Waterside Karori FC, Saint Louis FC, Orange County Blues, SG Kinzenbach
Position: RB/LB/RM
College: UC Davis (D1)

[@CoachXaviPerformance]

Thanks for all those great tips. We need to be extremely grateful to have advices like that for free from a true professional that you are💪⚽️🔥

[@karthikrayadurgam4968]

Yes sir.

[@bensoave3665]

As someone who just joined semi pro in the uk. I’ve struggled. Every basic skill becomes complicated. I’m scared to risk passes. Make tackles. It’s just not the same so thanks Matt for saying Even pro players struggle with confidence. I hope to get out of it

[@yllzonsylejmani6312]

You got this bro I believe in you!!!!!!

[@bensoave3665]

@@yllzonsylejmani6312 thank you bro👍🏻 same goes to you

[@herisrobles888]

this made me realize how crazy it is for players like messi, ronaldo, lewangoalski and all those players at the top level performing the quality they are expected to play week in and out.

[@CoachOlali]

So true. People don't realize this. They have no appreciation for this.

[@mitchelfoster4409]

One thing that I have noticed as someone trying to break into the pro game is being in the right place at the right time is key. I know guys who might not be the best players but they were in the right pace at the right time and all the circumstances lined up perfectly for them to get signed on the team.

[@CoachOlali]

100 percent

[@KikysVision]

All young players really need to take this in. I’m 25 and I really wish I had all the knowledge Sheldon gives out back when I was in highschool. I didn’t even push myself to play college for not having confidence after a horrible senior season. Regret stopping my career from moving foward

[@donovanshumate6580]

The part of being injured and not having any positive distractions really hit me as it is what I’m going through now. All I have is soccer/ fútbol right now and it hurts sometimes.

[@psh10gamer6]

The tips are as real as it can get, love to watch content like these Matt, cause it's been helping us aspiring footballers with great deal.

[@jcpiring941]

Im from the island of Saipan, a US territory next to Guam, and watching your videos really helped me with stretching and soccer IQ. I hope you get to come down and check our league out. My island is also a great place to vacay. 😁

[@alesandrogranados8234]

Thank you for sharing matt. Always a good video

[@princekitoko5342]

Very insightful and helpful thanks Matt, I don't take your videos for granted, truly appreciate you taking your time out dropping these insightful videos. Class content per usual.

[@bachvutuyetvoi3789]

So great, Matt. Thanks for making this video. Go stronger on the field yourself, I wish you all the best!!

[@KieranHiggss]

great video... really enjoyed this and took a lot from it! Appreciate the content Matt!

[@jovanlai9721]

Amazing content. So genuine, down to the real stuff

[@isaacscheersoccer734]

Fantastic video Matt. Will definitely remember this as I go into my soccer career

[@raphattacktraining7700]

Enjoyed the video. Keep it up Mat🙌🏾🔥

[@ottoeisenhardt6675]

Couldn't be more grateful that I came across your channel. You've inspired and motivated me in the gym, on the field, and in the kitchen in so many ways. Thank you for all that you do!

[@josiahmuriithi4668]

You're just amazing to listen to man!

[@okerekechukwuemeka6808]

Very powerful video Matt , really appreciate this one🙏🏾❤️

[@SK13639]

Fantastic advice Matt! Hope you continue to have success the rest of your career!

[@rdgfifa114]

Thank you for making videos like these.

[@antoanaleksandrov3386]

Yes mate, good start of the week

[@lalopr8993]

I love this kind of videos, where you learn extra field things 👌🏽

[@theblizardblitz2396]

Im eating breakfast before my game and perfect timing Matt! Always love your vids!

[@khushbakhtsarosh5815]

What a time for him to drop this Video, I myself have been struggling through confidence issues and this was really an eye opener

[@steevethomas5269]

Great vid.Truely needed

[@timokimo61]

One of the most useful and helpful videos i've watched for you, i've learned and still learning a lot from you man, thank you very much and good luck with your current season. keep going !

[@justinh6414]

Really great information Matt ..Keep putting great content out there God bless you 🙌🏽

[@SylvanoNadal]

Matt sheldon. If someday you feel low and feel like something has hit you. Come back to this comment❤. You showed me the way to my real potential, your are an inspiration and a hero❤I'm so proud of you. And always remember that to my eyes your the best and I know you are more capable of what you think. Love and support from Mauritius❤. Keep grinding I'm right behind you following your steps💪🏼❤. Thank you for everything you are doing.

[@bobbobker3911]

Great video! Would love it if you could talk some more about lesson #1. Imposter syndrome, doubt and how you tackled it?

[@jstgoalkeeping]

I think this is one of your best videos

[@user-ei9wx3xx3m]

Great video and very insightful ! I have always learned a lot and thanks for the info!

[@stefannikolic7902]

Respect for your honesty!

[@danm9459]

Q&A: What happened to Sheldon Tweedie?

[@kylepatrick7771]

I think he retired due to his injury sadly

[@sause4u947]

I really appreciate the tips and knowing that I'm not the only one to struggle with a lack of confidence is a great comfort and motivator

[@trefeezy3536]

Gonna watch that bit about confidence damn near every day. Thanks Matt.

[@Venya3213]

Such a great video! It's really made me think deeply projecting all these things onto myself. Thank you, Matt!

[@ahmedelgneed7984]

I can’t lie what a great video 💪🏽

[@jozefzaidlewicz9660]

Great video needed it really helpful

[@nonstopprogress10]

Thanks Matt this really helps us I have also had up and down but I will start implementing some of these things

[@bobmullaney]

Another insightful and helpful video. But I have to compliment your lighting and color in this video. Top notch production quality.

[@jcfly6098]

Thanks appreciate all you tips hope to learn more from you!!! Im on semi professional journey in the US and I am taking your wisdom with me on this journey 🙏🏽 thanks

[@flashjames7220]

Bro as a upcoming footballer from 🇹🇹 trinidad I love this Everyone needs this‼️✅

[@thetoppercent9638]

Great video Matt keep it up

[@pemg7002]

Thank you so much for this video

[@mokono1173]

Thanks mate ❤️

[@aservant1284]

Thank you Matt!

[@terry2544]

Always amazing content here

[@Barnz23]

This is probably my favourite football video out there on KZbin. Don't think there's anyone else out there that's willing to go in depth into life as a pro footbaler like Matt does, and this is why imo he's the best football youtube channel out there 💯

[@ThriveToSurvivee]

You really made some spectacular points fr

[@jairen648]

What a video best one ever!

[@mrwealth6788]

I needed this

[@_mason1]

Great vid, thanks!

[@StepforJesus_]

Love this vid keep it up

[@GuitarKitchen]

Wise words!

[@dylanwojdyla6735]

Hey Matt, thanks for all your influence on me, and once again a great video. I started following you when I was 14 and I got obsessed with training and improving myself over the years I was lucky enough to continue through the right paths and now at the age of 18 I am playing in Italy in Serie D, a first-team. I couldn't have gotten here without your mentorship and without the insights you gave me through your videos! Fun fact I am also playing as a right back and casually have the #13 on the back of my shirt jaja, but jokes aside thank you for helping me follow my dreams and aspirations by giving me the right guidance.

[@tarkka6145]

That is so cool! Im from Finland but i mainly watch Italian football, Serie A and some Serie B. Im actually coming to visit Italy in 3 weeks and go see some Serie A games. You keep going and training hard and one day you will be playing in Serie A with the best of Italia! Winners are losers who never gave up. Can i ask in what team do you play? La pratica rende perfetti

[@dylanwojdyla6735]

@@tarkka6145 thanks bro. Yeah I play in Breno, serie D

[@jparole5206]

Hey hows it going in Italy

[@Cudareli]

One of the big lessons I’ve learnt from your channel, that you didn’t touch on here, was the ability to be give yourself honest feedback. This is something you are great at and while it is walking a fine line with imposter syndrome, it allows you to keep improving. The exact opposite of this is someone like Sheldon Tweedie who wasn’t able to do this. He never walked the line with imposter syndrome as he finished every game and training session claiming he was the best. This was most evident when he went to the US and England, didn’t get close to signing for anyone, yet still kept claiming he was the best on the field. Fast forward a few years, you’re a mode professional while Sheldon is running crypto scams and has retired from football.

[@jasongong8810]

Great sharing! Lucky I clicked to watch. 👍

[@ZachV007]

Just like Bale said. People thinking of pro footballers as robots. But Bale deals with the hatred very well and i admire him for that

[@simonbarta1244]

Thank You!!!!!

[@d-s4869]

Love this video

[@powelluka882]

This may be the most knowledgeable football video to ever Grace KZbin. This is the real truth

[@Magigiooo]

Special 💎

[@luisfernandoariza655]

Amazing video

[@sniper_cave_1184]

Love your video

[@Wandipa1]

Wish I could have seen this when I was younger especially the confidence part

[@vaibhavjoshi99]

Hello Matt, I was wondering if you could make a good "everyday" prehab routine for a Footballer becuase recently a few of my friends have faced serious injury problems and I want to dedicate more of my time on that aspect of developing. Be it out of fear, but I am seeing so much stuff everywhere, it's very much confusing. I still do some of it, but I'm not quite sure if its enough. Thank you for these videos, they help a lot!

[@gpayne9448]

Very helpful advice

[@quincy9977]

Hey lately ive been on a upward slope of drastic improvement, im getting a goals everytime i step on the field. I dont want to lose this progress. How do i keep and maintain this positive progression? Very helpful video! Thx for everything!!!

[@alfonsogonzalez7631]

That was amazing

[@jerryp8041]

Any recommendations for sports science ? Can you make a video on how you read articles on the body and how you implement it?

[@ck_seck]

noted ]

[@ethan_elmore820]

I saw you play against Columba’s crew at a tourney

[@Shikhar99100]

Best videooooo

[@KK-ci1nu]

Very important video for someone who iż seriously going to be pro

[@jorgealvarado7961]

keeping it real

[@jordan63646]

Can you do more game analysis videos of pros like the one you did with busquets

[@andygao1798]

Champ!

[@Dan-ul1sf]

Hi Matt, I’m interested in studying nutrition. There’s many different companies that offer certified courses. What was the one you used out of interest?

[@thomaschen6295]

Bro, come play for Singapore league and I will be your biggest supporter.

[@AN-on2ct]

Hey great stuff thanks for the tips. I had a question to ask. So u said that players are chilling most of the time but How do players like Kante go from 3rd division france to Chelsea without doing Individual training during the season? Or how can they improve by just games and team training?

[@AnselTazeh]

So what they do is that they will do training sessions whether it is team or individual, then they rest their muscles to go again the next day.

[@CoachOlali]

Just because you don't see it doesn't mean their not doing the work. Just because they don't talk about it doesn't mean they're not doing the work. Results tell the whole story. Kante is not a one season wander. it's no fluke

[@dansugardude2655]

I think everyone working for a professional sports organization should see themselves as a business asset, no matter what role you have. You could be a parking attendant or a concession stand worker, but it’s all the same idea.

[@JC-hc4cr]

Matt did you ever go through a long bulking phase to add muscle or did you just always train normally and try gain weight in offseason?

[@mohamedgabaj2707]

Honestly don't think about these stuff in my opinion they put more pressure on you... Treat like your playing regular games but more serious don't let one bad game make you over think your abilities... If you keep thinking about the stuff you just said matt.. I am pretty sure from my experience you will suffer as a pro footballer

[@hrnoorr6480]

Really enjoyed your videos Keep it up. I have 2 questions,it will be great if u replied to these questions: 1. Where are you. 2. At what age u started playing football. Video recommendation: tell u story from being zero to professional level Hope for the response😄

[@jakethewoz]

He's in Charleston SC, and he started playing as a kid.

[@hrnoorr6480]

@@jakethewoz at what particular age? at what age he signed a contract? at what age he was at semi professional?

[@alexj1650]

@@hrnoorr6480 there was a video of his some years ago and he said he started playing football at 12 years old although he was playing from a younger age, he wasn't as invested because he liked basketball more

[@shantiescovedo4361]

@@alexj1650 already answered, but Matt has done a couple of different My Story and Path to Pro videos. If you search KZbin with those key words, you will find them.

[@cruzhorvath]

At what age did you first get into a semi pro and also a pro team?? cheers

[@jackdavis1664]

This might be a really stupid question but is there any become elite merchandise or any way of a signed Matt item? Thanks for any replies guys

[@aafootball7198]

Great videoo

[@Cuz738]

What do I do when my team doesn't want to release the footage of our games as they think that we will only care about ourselves and not focus on the team as a whole?

[@Dslime4real]

After this,I really feel for Maguire

[@ballersplace4372]

Matt you're the difention of you made it as kids we dreamed of being and footballer or KZbinr and having a beautiful wife , YOU GOT ALL OF THEM keept the work op man Love from The Netherlands

[@jordanjolly8875]

Number 3 reminds me of Ecclesiastes

[@boybandit6129]

Hey Matt you may feel you had imposter syndrome after watching you for years I feel you just are a really humble amazing footballer and person. I rate you man!

[@carminica2846]

Is it worth trialing in Europe if your from the US ?

[@abyssusofficial]

good video

[@grappleronyt4662]

So if videos games are not taking over like I play video games for 2 hours but train longer its my positive distraction so its fine in limitation right?

[@davy3415]

Upload more vids plzz😩😂😂

[@yareddelgado4328]

Matt Sheldon all thanks to you man cheers I am where I want to be now thanks man imma meet you one day broskis much love

[@nuriyayla724]

Please vlog now

[@tsewangsangdup268]

Only❤

[@rudrashishdasgupta6406]

that was torres