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Original poster

What motivates footballers?

30 replies

daftpunk92 · 06/10/2022 20:27

I’m probably right in thinking that a lot of modern (and historical) political/social rhetoric revolves around the idea that people are motivated by money, profit, materialistic accumulation, etc. I don’t necessarily disagree with that, but one thing I can never get my head around is footballers, and even more so footballers who become managers when they retire.

From childhood or early adolescence, they dedicate their entire lives to becoming professional footballers. They follow extremely strict diet regimes, can’t really drink or experiment with drugs like lots of teenagers and young adults do. Also, from what I’ve seen, most of them seem to settle down in long term relationships and have children at relatively young ages.

I believe the average premier league premier yearly salary is around £2.5 million, though for bigger players it’s around £5-7million per year. These guys make more in a year than most people could ever dream of seeing in their lifetime. Surely for these players, 3-5 years of a salary like that could see you absolutely set for life, with a comfortable and luxurious lifestyle.

My question is - what is it that keeps them dedicated to doing it for so long, without faltering, usually into their mid/late thirties? Even more so the ones that become managers which seems to be a ridiculously stressful and intensive job. Surely it isn’t the money, because they already have s*loads of that.

Is it the rush of winning? The validation that having thousands of people cheering for you once a week, and millions more watching you live at home? The power and the pride of wins, trophies and league domination? Or is it something else I’m missing?

OP posts:
Original poster
daftpunk92 · 06/10/2022 20:30

Something I forgot to mention was the comparison with musicians and actors, many of whom fall to drink/drugs as we’ve seen in many tragic cases. This rarely seems to happen with footballers. Is it because they’re so deeply disciplined into training regimes and the exercise-dopamine cycle that they simply have no desire for hedonistic pleasures that most non-athletes engage in?

OP posts:
Mouthfulofquiz · 06/10/2022 20:34

It must be so addictive to play in front of crowds like that every week!

Maireas · 06/10/2022 20:36

Male footballers are richly rewarded in our society. They are wealthy, admired, powerful, influential - heroes to many.
No wonder so many boys go for it.

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user1471453601 · 06/10/2022 20:41

A good player, in my opinion is one who recognises they have a talent, and want to be the best they can be. So, they will go to a club with the best coaching staff, rather than the club that offers the most money.

I guess, when they retire and move into management,they do so to enable other, younger, players to make the most of their talent.

I've never subscribed to the view that elite footballers are just greedy. The ones I admire all put something back into society. From Jordan Henderson appearing in the advertisements against hate for women footballers to Marcus Rashford campaigning for free school meals.

as a fan of a particular football club, I'm aware of what the club does to support their community. And I'm pretty sure a lot of other clubs do the same.

catsonahottinroof · 06/10/2022 20:44

They might have long term relationships at a young age, but many also seem to have affairs or worse - rape and gang rape. Maybe it's a basic need to be worshipped that they are seeking, and the only way they know to achieve it is through football.
I know I will get absolutely slated for this but I think many footballers are emotionally stunted.

mondaytosunday · 06/10/2022 20:53

Omg it's love! My son would have loved to have been a professional athlete. For years up early to go to practise every Sunday morning and Thursday night - rail hail or shine. Covered in mud, Battered about (this was rugby), he didn't care - he loved it. Unfortunately not talented enough.,

EeeByeGummieBear · 06/10/2022 20:57

What motivates anyone- they enjoy doing it, and are lucky enough to get paid to play/ manage.

DarkDarkNight · 06/10/2022 21:08

I think the idea footballers don’t drink or take drugs is a bit naive, I’m sure lots of them indulge.

As for motivation, it must feel pretty amazing to be good enough to be a professional footballer. To get paid to do what you love. To have the adulation of fans. The money as well of course.

I was just watching a YouTube clip of Erling Haaland before if all the goals he’s scores and assists since being at Man City. I’m not even a football fan but it’s impressive.

DarkDarkNight · 06/10/2022 21:09

of all the goals that should say.

Pedallleur · 06/10/2022 22:22

It's the dream. What makes a musician or actor struggle and then make and keep going? Judy Dench or Mick Jagger have done it yet they keep going. Football is prob the same. It's your life, prob the thing you are best at. If you can move on when you retire, fantastic. Some become pundits or go into property. Quite a few have had drink or gambling issues

Original poster
daftpunk92 · 06/10/2022 22:39

Yes, Haaland is a good example. You can tell when watching him that he's simply ridiculously passionate about (and ridiculously good at) scoring goals. It was actually the Man City UCL match that got me thinking about this, because Man City missed a scoring chance when they were 3-0 or 4-0 up and Pep Guardiola looked SO stressed. At that point you just know it's not about the money but an insatiable thirst for the win, probably beyond my comprehension.

OP posts:
Dinoteeth · 06/10/2022 22:54

The same stuff that motivates any top athletes, to be the best.

Doesn't matter the sport, from football, swimming, athletes, gymnastics, tennis, runners, to be the best requires a mix of talent and dedication to practice and being in best shape.

Some will drink etc but they aren't likely to improve their game.

lljkk · 06/10/2022 22:55

I know some young pro athletes, including a female footballer.
Definitely just the endorphin high that comes from achieving highly. "The Dream" of being the best / Winning.

Beth... Mead? One of the Lionesses was on Radio today musing that she loved her job. That's why she does it.

lljkk · 06/10/2022 22:56

Better question is how do people like Stephanie Graf keep going when they hate their sport? Because they are conditioned to it & people around them want them to continue when they seem so successful?

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 06/10/2022 22:58

daftpunk92 · 06/10/2022 20:30

Something I forgot to mention was the comparison with musicians and actors, many of whom fall to drink/drugs as we’ve seen in many tragic cases. This rarely seems to happen with footballers. Is it because they’re so deeply disciplined into training regimes and the exercise-dopamine cycle that they simply have no desire for hedonistic pleasures that most non-athletes engage in?

Rarely? I don't follow football but Gazza, Best, Clough literally half the footballers I can think of had serious problems with drink/drugs.

The there's the gambling and prostitutes.

I think plenty have a desire for hedonism

j712adrian · 06/10/2022 23:02

like dogs, the ball

PickySlackTastic · 06/10/2022 23:07

Well that’s easy, its cause they love football.

But you won’t get much sense here, mn hates and looks down upon footballers.

PickySlackTastic · 06/10/2022 23:08

@JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon you can think of six footballers? Well in that case, I bow to your authority on the subject

FiveMins · 06/10/2022 23:11

I totally get it. I am incredibly competitive. I am not particularly good at sports but as soon as it becomes competitive I go a bit crazy. I play about 5 hours of competitive sport a week, mainly losing, and pay for the privilege in subs. But do it for the love. I am nearly 50 and pretty shit. If I was paid to do it, good or not I would do it full time.

BitOutOfPractice · 06/10/2022 23:12

They love the game?

they are competitive individuals?

they don’t really know anything else?

i often think how wonderful it must feel to be that fit and strong. I wish I’d appreciated my young body when I was young!

Ethelswith · 06/10/2022 23:16

I have a friend with a DS who is a professional footballer.

He loves the game. Really, really loves it.

He's living his dream, and will play for as long as he can.

(I knew what he was paid as a junior, no idea how much it'll be now!)

NotAMouse · 06/10/2022 23:22

It’s a short-ish career so they have to make the most of it. Apparently they are encouraged to settle down at a young-ish age and start a family as this is supposed to ground them more and reduce the likelihood of wildness (and thus being an expensive mistake to the club who’ve paid millions for them).

I bet it’s an amazing life - money, glory, camaraderie, travel, physical prime, tapping in to your talent…. And hardly like “work”!

Shunter350 · 06/10/2022 23:23

Money. Professional footballers are mercenaries. Nothing more, nothing less. They will quite happily leave the team that they perhaps supported as a youngster, nurtured and developed them. Then perhaps patronise them again near the end of their career.

Dinoteeth · 07/10/2022 00:18

@Shunter350 you honestly cannot blame them for chasing the money. Its a short career. And the smaller clubs often rely on the transfer fees they get for their top players.

Sometimes the players to stay with the club they really love aren't paid as well as their teammates to are attacted to the club purely for money.

Loyalty doesn't pay the bills.

Blueemeraldagain · 07/10/2022 00:27

Some people are just born that way. Haaland
is a great example. He was an exceptional athlete from a very early age. I believe he was breaking records (for his age group) in long jump at 5. I believe he could have competed at a world level in half a dozen sports and chose football (likely due to his father’s influence).

Also financial
mismanagement was very common among footballers up until very recently so some may have had to continue working longer than they would have liked.