NAG 🇺🇦

“There was never any pressure from you to become a footballer.” That's what Harry Kane said during his Ballon d'Or acceptance speech, when he took the opportunity to thank his mum and dad for everything they had done for him over the years. Taking him to training, travelling to watch him play, encouraging him to work hard, improve and keep learning. Despite everything his parents did for him, Kane said he never felt any pressure from them to become a footballer. As parents, we naturally want our children to do well. We take them to training, watch their matches, encourage them when things aren't going well and want to see them improve. Sometimes, I wonder whether the expectations we have for our children can become a little too much, even when we have the best intentions. What I liked about Kane's words was that his parents encouraged him to work hard and improve, but he never felt that becoming a professional footballer was something he had to achieve. I think we can encourage children to take their football seriously, work hard and have ambitions without making them feel they have to succeed at all costs. We all know how much time, money and effort some families invest in their children's football, often making considerable sacrifices along the way. I do wonder how many young players feel they have to succeed, not just for themselves, but because of everything their parents have sacrificed for them.