The training and development process during childhood and adolescence of a multiple Ballon d'Or-nominated soccer player

Espen Tønnessen¹Silvana Bucher Sandbakk¹Sigmund Apold-Aasen¹Øyvind Sandbakk²Thomas Haugen^1*

• ¹Hoyskolen Kristiania School of Health Sciences, Oslo, Norway
• ²UiT Norges arktiske universitet, Tromsø, Norway

Introduction: Information regarding the training and development of youth talents who successfully progress to professional soccer remains both limited and contradictory. The aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate the training and development process of a world-class soccer player during childhood and adolescence. Methods: An intrinsic case study design was employed to capture the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the training and development process. A four-step data collection procedure was used, along with pragmatic analyses of (1) training history based on logs and plans, (2) in-depth semi-structured interviews with the player’s father, who also served as head coach throughout the analyzed period, (3) follow-up interviews to clarify, expand upon, or validate findings from steps 1 and 2, and (4) systematic quality assurance through triangulation and negotiation among researchers and key informants, including the player. Results: During childhood and adolescence, the player engaged in approximately 1,000–1,300 hours of soccer training annually. Unorganized training constituted most of this time, though its proportion gradually declined as the volume of organized training increased. The unorganized training conducted with his father was guided by a clear philosophy: Basic technical skills were learned through isolated and targeted drills in form of ball control, passing, receiving, feints, visual exploration and scanning. These foundational skills were reinforced and refined in game-realistic settings during unorganized play with friends on the local turf, and ultimately, through match play. As the player progressed, increasingly complex tasks were introduced. He received personalized challenges that matched his current skill level and supported further development. Key developmental factors contributing to his success included a multidimensional motor talent, an exceptional passion for soccer and a strong willingness to train, a learning-oriented mindset, training with 1–3-year older peers, a supporting and knowledgeable father, and year-round access to high-quality training facilities. Conclusion: The novel insights reported here may serve as a basis for reflection when players and coaches consider how they should optimize the long-term development and performance. However, the unusually high training volumes described here should not be interpreted as general recommendations for average youth players or non-elite settings.