HOW YOUR ENVIRONMENT CAN DESTROY YOU OR LIFT YOU TO THE TOP

Many footballers focus only on training, diet, and matches, forgetting about one of the most important factors in development — the people around them. Your environment is not just family or teammates. It also includes coaches, advisors, friends outside football, and even people you meet through social media. The right environment can help you reach the top. The wrong one can slowly but surely destroy your dreams.

WHY YOUR ENVIRONMENT IS CRUCIAL
Every person is influenced by those they spend time with. If you are surrounded by ambitious, hardworking, and supportive people, you naturally start adopting their traits. However, if you spend time with people who neglect training, ignore self-development, and live only “for the moment,” you will likely start doing the same.

A simple rule: you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS THAT DESTROY FOOTBALL DREAMS
Not everyone around you wants the best for you. Sometimes, it’s quite the opposite. Toxic relationships can take different forms:

• Jealous teammates – instead of motivating you, they mock your goals, criticize your ambitions, and discourage extra training.

• Fake friends – they are with you only when you succeed but disappear or criticize you at the first setback.

• Family that clips your wings – sometimes loved ones, with good intentions, pull you away from football (“find a normal job,” “don’t take the risk”) instead of supporting your passion.

• Bad advisor or agent – people focused only on quick money rather than your long-term career growth.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE IF YOUR ENVIRONMENT SUPPORTS YOU
Ask yourself a few questions:

1. Do I feel motivated or discouraged after meeting these people?

2. Do they believe in my success and speak about it respectfully?

3. Do they inspire me to work hard or drag me toward comfortable laziness?

4. Can I count on them in difficult moments?

If most of your answers are negative, you need to seriously think about how much time you want to spend with them.

HOW TO BUILD A STRONG, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
Your goal is to create a “football ecosystem” around you that works in your favor.

• Coaches and mentors – look for people who not only teach technique but can also guide you mentally and tactically.

• Ambitious peers – train with players who are better than you, as they will push you to go beyond your limits.

• Health and development specialists – physiotherapists, nutritionists, sports psychologists.

• Positive friends and family – those who celebrate your successes but also motivate you when you doubt yourself.

THE DECISION IS YOURS
You cannot always control who is in your environment. But you can always control how much time and energy you give them. Success in football is not just about strong legs and good dribbling. It is also about making smart choices about who you allow to be close to you.

If you want to reach a professional level, remember: the right environment is your fuel — the wrong environment is a leak that will drain your full potential.