Workout routine

I honestly find myself wondering what players are actually doing during practice, given their technical skill levels. Is it truly possible that someone like Simic—or any player who isn't naturally gifted with the ball—just can't pick up basic dribbling or a simple feint? It feels a bit illogical to me. You have these professional athletes who are supposed to be inseparable from the ball, training every single day since they were five years old, yet they still can't pull off a move like Figo or others... The weirdest part for me is watching commentators act completely shell-shocked by a dribble from Figo or Ronald, treating them like they're from another planet, when in reality, those are things every single professional soccer player should have mastered by now.🤷

Everyone, and I mean everyone, knows those fundamentals...
The real question is if they can actually pull them off during a game.

☕

David Beckham never once tried to trick a player in his entire career, so did anyone ever complain about that? Not even a little bit... mainly because he had a cross that made up for it perfectly.

Matthew Anderson4 said:Everyone, and I mean everyone, knows those fundamentals...
The real question is if they can actually pull them off during a game.

☕

To be honest, I’m not so sure everyone actually knows them. Take Jurcic and Thomas, for example—I wouldn't go so far as to say they can't trap a ball properly, but let's just say there's a massive gap between knowing the drill and actually executing it under pressure.☕

Do you ever honestly think Roberto Carlos actually knows what he’s doing?... I mean, maybe he does, but it doesn't really matter since he plays left back, where he can just outrun everyone anyway

Betty Rogers2 said:Do you ever honestly think Roberto Carlos actually knows what he’s doing?... I mean, maybe he does, but it doesn't really matter since he plays left back, where he can just outrun everyone anyway

And why wouldn't he need those skills? If he ends up in a one-on-one situation, any player would need them. That’s my point—when they find themselves in a spot where a dribble is actually desirable, they should be able to attempt it. I’m not talking about the Mikica approach—just hoofing the ball and sprinting after it—but actual feints, sudden changes in direction, rolls... you know, real technique. I say this because I genuinely don't get why people label a player a "genius" just because they pull off a little flair with the ball. To me, that kind of skill should be standard for anyone willing to take on a defender. It often boils down to just kicking the ball ahead and outrunning the opponent, usually done so naively that it actually helps the defender read their next move.🤷Players like Ronald (both of them, really) aren't doing anything wrong—they're just doing basic things during a match, yet the media turns them into icons when they're really just playing with the ball.🤷

Most pro players have an insane amount of technical skill with the ball, it’s just that they don't show it—and honestly, they can't even pull it off—once they're facing other pros.

Take someone like Hrvoje Veić, for example. If you watch him out on a massive pitch during a high-stakes, legitimate match, you might walk away thinking he barely has any real ability on the ball at all.

But then, the second he steps onto a small turf field to play some pickup games with the local crew, he looks like prime Zidane.

It is practically impossible to strip the ball from him; he’ll nutmeg you whenever he feels like it and spin you around like a damn coin.

And I'm not talking about him bullying some random amateurs who couldn't kick a can; I mean he does this against guys who actually know what they're doing or used to play at a pretty serious level.

But man, being able to pull that off against other professionals? That is a completely different beast. Very few people can actually do that, and that’s exactly why they’re considered legends.

It isn’t quite that simple when you're playing at the professional level, is it? Everyone has their specific role to play and they really have to respect the manager's calls—after all, that’s exactly what they’re being paid to do! I’ll admit, I used to think Vieira wasn't much of an offensive threat, but after watching him absolutely flatten three different players onto the grass during one match, I completely changed my mind. It’s not his job to be out there dancing around with the ball; there are plenty of others better suited for the flashy dribbling, but when it comes to shuting things down on defense, you just won't find anyone better...

It’s just like amberjackal8 was saying. He’s gotta follow the coach's lead—I mean, he's getting paid to play ball, after all... but man, I can't help but wonder what would happen if Ancelotti actually decided to slot Gattus into the center forward spot.😁

Look, if I’m being honest... nobody is ever going to be on the same level as Ronald. In my book, that 1996/1997 season at FC Barcelona when he was tearing things up was easily the greatest individual season in football history. Just look at those goal averages—it was ridiculous how effortlessly he used to score. But then, of course, he moved to Inter...

But let’s not go overcomplicating the nature of professional soccer here... for instance, a friend was telling me about a match he played against some kid who is currently in the youth academy at FC Copenhagen... he told me the guy honestly doesn't have a clue how to play 😕

Yeah, honestly... someone playing for NK Trabaština probably has more raw talent than some kid sitting on the bench for the Real Madrid junior squad.

Betty Rogers2 said:Yeah, honestly... someone playing for NK Trabaština probably has more raw talent than some kid sitting on the bench for the Real Madrid junior squad.

Oh, for sure... I mean, there are definitely plenty of talented juniors out there in the world who could give Dani Parejo a run for his money.😉 🙏

Oh man, just think about it! In a few years, we’ll all be sitting there watching Benavent and Iag make their big moves, while everyone else who just couldn't quite catch a break for one reason or another will be stuck at home? Can you imagine? They'll be glued to the TV watching the Champions League, dreaming of the big leagues, while in the absolute best-case scenario, they might end up signing with some small-time semi-pro outfit out in the Midwest...

quietbadger34 said:Most pro players have an insane amount of technical skill with the ball, it’s just that they don't show it—and honestly, they can't even pull it off—once they're facing other pros.

Take someone like Hrvoje Veić, for example. If you watch him out on a massive pitch during a high-stakes, legitimate match, you might walk away thinking he barely has any real ability on the ball at all.

But then, the second he steps onto a small turf field to play some pickup games with the local crew, he looks like prime Zidane.

It is practically impossible to strip the ball from him; he’ll nutmeg you whenever he feels like it and spin you around like a damn coin.

And I'm not talking about him bullying some random amateurs who couldn't kick a can; I mean he does this against guys who actually know what they're doing or used to play at a pretty serious level.

But man, being able to pull that off against other professionals? That is a completely different beast. Very few people can actually do that, and that’s exactly why they’re considered legends.

I couldn't agree more, as I've experienced this exact same phenomenon firsthand with Agice...

So, it's you?