Crossbow:
19 is quite old to begin professional football, you will come to understand this. For a Nigerian, the ladder is too long to start climbing at 19. Like you I had hopes of playing professional football back then in secondary school but I was forced to finish school back then and when I did, I got to understand that the ladder of football is quite long and in Nigeria, it is longer. I was good then but passing trials was almost impossible. I started going for trial camps in Lagos, but even when I passed, money was the problem.. We were supposed to have 150k for passport and Visa processing. The plan was to go to Cyprus and go for a real trial to start playing for lower division teams and start earning while climbing the ladder to top global teams. Nobody wanted to invest a dime in me, except for educational purpose. I lost hope, wrote jamb and got admitted into a tertiary institution.

If you have the Money, determination, skills, endurance and passion, leave the country, go to France or country that appreciate football through a football agency, go for trials and work hard, Fitness is another thing.

You can come into limelight at 24, which is not bad, (at 24, you will be 19 then )

About marriage and family, that is completely understandable. We have Rev. Fathers and Sisters. Marriage isn't for everyone. I am actually thinking of taking this part too and joked about it with Mum, she wasn't happy about it even though I said it playfully but if it is a path I must take to stay happy, I will take it and everybody will just have to accept it or leave it.

BTW
What is your playing position?
Mine is CMF

I felt for you after reading this piece... but this is Nigeria where education is given number 1 priority.., where you will tell your parents about your dreams and they will be like "do you wan't to disgrace this family,, can't you see Mr. A's son who is reading medicine and will soon become a doctor?? or Mrs. Lagbaja's daughter who is studying law and will soon be a lawyer?? If I were a member of your family, you would have followed your mates to Cyprus anyhow, anyway.

Too much comparison.. I must say the truth,, most parents/family members would rather prefer you do their will and forget about chasing your own dream. Parents have a shallow view about the future.

......and to the OP,, bro get contacts, connections etc. Be the best among your peers and travel out. It is not too late to become a professional footballer. It is not a must that you play in England, France, Italy or other top European clubs.. football is football. Start from somewhere. In future your parents/guardians will be proud of you. They may not see reasons with you now but they will in future. You are above 18 so you are not a kid. Take that bold step and do not let discouragers to discourage you. You are the sole decider of your future.

nnadychuks:
Hello, I'm a Nigerian, 19 years old. I've had this feeling burning inside me for the past three years; I don't want to follow the steps of my parents(study, work, marry, have children,etc..) I'm thinking of playing football like Cristiano or Neymar but people around me make me feel like I'm crazy and they make me feel like something is wrong with not wanting to live a normal life.
Is there anything wrong with me not wanting a normal life?

Dude you have almost wasted two decades of ur life, start chasing ur dreams already, As for me, am already chasing mine, which is to enter heaven in the after life ( atleast in heaven I can be anything I want, even the president of my own world )

There's nothing really new that still need to be done. But I understand your concept of 'normal' life. Just find something you'd so much pour your heart into, that you'd hardly have time for any other thing. Just gi beyond the norm.

Boss13:


The problem is that the sport is not properly developed for grassroot talents. At 19 he should be playing actively in the Nigeria premier league and not thinking about it. However, at that age, you still find players gaining their first break.

The OP needs to think it through because his clock started yesterday and he has to work thrice as hard to achieve his goal

Exactly

FlackoJodye:
im just like you to man can I send you a DM

sure

Demayour:
There's nothing really new that still need to be done. But I understand your concept of 'normal' life. Just find something you'd so much pour your heart into, that you'd hardly have time for any other thing. Just gi beyond the norm.

Programming fits in here well......

NwanyiAwkaetiti:
At 19 u still thinking of playing football? Are u good at d game?

I don't believe I can make it anywhere with talent. I learn to be better with hard work. I just love the game... do you ever picture people chanting your name in a 100k cap stadium or on TV?

nnadychuks:
I don't believe I can make it anywhere with talent. I learn to be better with hard work. I just love the game... do you ever picture people chanting your name in a 100k cap stadium or on TV?

Wish u d best

femi4:
You start football at age 4-5. At 19, its too late to make it

I played football for as long as I can remember, but in school. I've left sec school for 3 years now, I'm in uni... I still want to play football.
But I believe people here have life experience here and can advise me

Nope!

You era definitely of track.
That's the mind of a Heroe.

Don't worry, soonest you'll definitely find your Balance. All you need to do is to be good, humble,and keep Learning.
You're WELCOME.

nnadychuks:
Hello, I'm a Nigerian, 19 years old. I've had this feeling burning inside me for the past three years; I don't want to follow the steps of my parents(study, work, marry, have children,etc..) I'm thinking of playing football like Cristiano or Neymar but people around me make me feel like I'm crazy and they make me feel like something is wrong with not wanting to live a normal life.
Is there anything wrong with me not wanting a normal life?

Chase your dreams bro never give up on them aside football, there are other things to do that will change your lifstyle

The hood has a way of bring out both the worst and best in one, it is up to you to figure it out..

Eco99:
...

So you want ordinary people to motivate you to live an extra ordinary life...

Keep waiting

My favorite post on NL so far. So simple and so true. It has stayed with me and has been coming to my mind in so many different situations offline.

Same thing
DIDIER DROGBA
IAN WRIGHT
KLOSE
JAMIE VARDY
EDOUAD MENDY
And a certain France world cup winner(2002) did if they can do it at a late age you can also do it.

Yes if you are in Europe you have an 80% chance of making it.