How to Keep Your Winner’s Mindset Even After Retiring from Soccer

Soccer is a sport beloved by millions worldwide. According to statistics by Soccer Prime, there are over 275 million players in more than 200 countries worldwide. Given the sport’s fame, it’s unsurprising that the number of pro players is steadily increasing — with almost 130,000 people turning soccer into their full-time careers. However, despite this exciting growth, athletes in the sport often face a time limit in developing their careers. Their demanding training causes the average soccer career to last only into an athlete’s mid-30s, making it difficult for athletes to set themselves up for a successful retirement.

A feature on life after competitive sports by LHH notes that very few professional or top-level amateur sports athletes earn enough money to set themselves up for the remainder of their post-sporting lives. Unfortunately, research also suggests that athletes who end their competitive careers face various degrees of psychological crisis as retirement changes their roles, relationships, and daily routines. For the top levels of competitive soccer specifically, the average career lasts only eight years, which means soccer players have to plan for what comes next. One of the best assets ex-soccer players can carry into retirement is their winning mindset. Below are some ways soccer players can stay motivated beyond their careers.

Find a support system

It may seem counterintuitive to consult with your colleagues in sports upon retirement, but their support is a key part of the transition process. A study on sports retirement by Current Sports Medicine Reports found that continued meetings with coaches and athletic personnel can help athletes cope with the emotional reaction to leaving a sport, as well as gain a sense of closure. Retired athletes can engage in other sports initiatives that avoid major risks by connecting with their coaches and colleagues, helping them develop a new role or identity.

Aside from sports peers, professional counselors can also help athletes open up and realize the reasons behind their distress. This can supplement support groups like family and friends, who can also help retiring athletes adjust to other aspects of their lives. Former soccer player Abby Wambach, for instance, noted how her wife and children significantly helped her overcome personal troubles during her transition away from soccer. Recently, she started inviting guests to her wife Glennon Doyle’s “We Can Do Hard Things” podcast, which sometimes involves discussions on how their family became her best support pillar.

Pursue other passions

Athletes spend so much time training and focusing on one sport that they often struggle with exploring alternative interests. Retirement can make them feel like they’ve lost their identity and cause them to lose motivation, which can be detrimental to their mental health. As such, retired soccer players should pursue other passions and hobbies to move away from purely athletic careers. Undergoing training and upskilling in various fields can give them confidence in their post-soccer lives. From there, they can find it emotionally easier to change their perspective and find other activities invigorating.

In the case of retired soccer player Carli Lloyd, rather than seeing fun activities such as watching a basketball match as a hindrance to her career, she sees retirement as freedom from many obstacles and pressure. She uses her free time with her loved ones and engages in activities like working out, landscaping, and other home projects. While sports continue to remain significant in athletes’ lives, being able to pursue new passions is a big win for retired athletes.

As shared in our post “How to Learn to Love the Struggle,” although difficult situations are challenging, an athlete’s winning mindset allows them to view these as opportunities to become a stronger version of themselves. While this isn’t always easy, building positive habits to face challenges can ensure you grow beyond your soccer career while staying true to yourself.

Featured image via Pexels

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