In the modern game, some academies across Europe have adopted policies where late developers are moved down to play with younger age groups. In Ireland, for example, professional academies are allowed register two players to compete below their age category.
Yet when you listen to players who reached the very top of the game, many describe the complete opposite experience. They often speak about how playing against older, bigger, and more physically developed players was crucial to improving their skill, speed of thought, and decision making.
Don’t take our word for it, listen to what Neymar said recently.
"Futsal taught me that, what the streets taught me too, because... Especially the streets, right? When you’re playing on the street, you’re always playing against older guys, right? So they see that you’re a bit more skillful, and the older guys, they want to intimidate you somehow. So how do they do that? By hitting you, pushing you. And on the street, there’s nothing you can do. You can’t be scared. You have to take the guy on again. And escape the marking, right? Because I knew that in terms of strength, I wouldn’t have any advantage. But in speed, intelligence, and skill, I always had the advantage. When I moved up to the professional level, I weighed, at the time, 54 kilos. 54 kilos for a professional player is very little. And then I had to... figure it out. So I had to be faster, I had to think ahead. Because every time they touched me, they’d hold me. Then you remember the street, you think, man, the older guy who pushed you there, what did you do? You didn’t let him touch you, you’d dodge him, and then you’d go!. I think Futsal is the foundation of every Brazilian player. Futsal gives you that, it gives you improvisation, quick thinking, it teaches you tactics, because at the same time you're attacking, you have to defend."
Always going to be a huge advocate of Spanish football and @LaLiga ….but this is the worst level EL CLÁSICO for as long as anyone can remember….
Hard moment for @realmadriden fans but even harder for fans of @rfef football fans!
#Triste#elfracaso
"When you wake up in two or three years time, you'll be amazed to see where Bromley Football Club is at"
Since this fans' forum:
FA Trophy winners ✅
Promoted to League Two ✅
Promoted to League One ✅
Some journey 🎢
Always learning…
Always grateful….
Always humbled…
Most of all…always ambitious to strive for more and to create the best environment + opportunities for our players!
@FCMalagaCity#AreYouNext?
Fantastic visit this week to @Spurs_ES - difficult moment for the club but always incredible to be inside some of the worlds best facilities!
#AreYouNext?
@FCMalagaCity
MELITA FC TOUR | Wonderful to welcome our friends from Malta in Madrid as we hosted a group of 120 players & families.
-La Liga Stadium Tours
-Tournaments
-Cultural experiences
-@FCMalagaCity led training sessions
…and we can’t forget the family Karaoke 🎤 night!🇪🇸🤝🇲🇹
COACH CPD EVENT - MALTA 🇲🇹 | Always a privilege to be invited to share ideas and discuss the @FCMalagaCity journey.
Special country and even more special people involved with @naxxarfc.
#areyounext?
🔚 Steven Caulker has announced his retirement from football.
The 33-year-old spent this year with top-flight Icelandic side Stjarnan, making 11 appearances.
The defender also played in Spain and Turkey as well as picking up caps for England, Great Britain and Sierra Leone.
🚨 On this day, 22 years ago, Ronaldinho, the man who made a whole generation of fans fall in love with football, signed for Barcelona. ❤️
To celebrate, we created a thread of his best moments for the club. Sit back and enjoy. 🙌🍿🧵