This is a very old question with many different interpretations. From what I have observed and experienced, it is not possible to get to the professional level without many years of practice and hard work. No player is born with football ability but some are more efficient in improving their skill and learning new techniques.
Without working hard you won't get to the professional level. Talent will only determine how successful you'll be once you've gotten to that level.
Many environmental factors interfere when one considers the definition of hard work. How would a Brazilian kid who plays three hours every day with experienced opponents compare to an American youngster who plays at his school for ¼ of the school year? Most successful players who have come from "non-football nations" state that they developed by working with the ball individually. This same concept would not be considered normal by a Brazilian for example. The atmosphere in which one has grown up determines what "hard" work means. Regardless of that, one general rule persists: the more you invest in the game, the more it will give back to you!
Read more about this in the article called Nature vs Nurture in Soccer by Expert 11:57:52 Wednesday 29 December 2004 |
