How to Become an Influential Footballer: 5 Essential Steps for Success

As I watch the ongoing developments in ONE Championship's strawweight division, I can't help but reflect on what truly separates good fighters from truly influential ones in this sport. The recent comments from Lito "Thunder Kid" Adiwang about Joshua Pacio's upcoming unification bout against Jarred Brooks got me thinking - becoming influential in football or any sport isn't just about raw talent, it's about something more profound. Adiwang, who's trained alongside Pacio for years, expressed genuine concern about his teammate's chances against Brooks, noting how the interim champion's wrestling and pressure could pose serious problems. This kind of honest assessment, coming from someone within the same camp, reveals how even at the highest levels, athletes constantly face challenges that test not just their skills but their ability to influence and inspire.

Looking at the landscape of modern football, I've noticed that the most influential players share certain qualities that transcend their technical abilities. The first essential step, in my view, is developing a signature style that makes you instantly recognizable. Think about Cristiano Ronaldo's powerful free-kicks or Lionel Messi's magical dribbling - these aren't just skills, they're trademarks that define their influence. I remember watching young players at academies trying to copy every move from their heroes, but the truly influential ones eventually develop their own unique approach to the game. This takes years of dedicated practice - we're talking about 10,000 hours or more of focused training according to some studies, though I've seen players break through with as little as 6,000 hours when their natural talent aligns perfectly with their training regimen.

The second step involves something many athletes overlook - building genuine connections within the sport. When Adiwang speaks about Pacio's upcoming challenge, he does so with the authority of someone who's shared the training mat and understands the nuances of his teammate's game. Similarly, in football, the most influential players understand that relationships matter. They connect with teammates, coaches, and even opponents in ways that create lasting impact. I've observed that players who take time to mentor younger teammates, who communicate effectively during matches, and who build bridges across different teams often find their influence extends far beyond their direct performance statistics. They become the glue that holds teams together during tough seasons.

Now, the third step might surprise you because it's not directly about athletic performance at all. It's about developing your voice and perspective on the game. The most influential footballers I've studied don't just play well - they understand the sport's deeper dynamics and can articulate their insights. They become students of football history, tactics, and culture. When they speak about the game, people listen because they're offering more than just clichés. This is where many potentially great players fall short - they focus entirely on physical training while neglecting the mental and communicative aspects that truly cement one's influence in the sport. I'd estimate that only about 15% of professional footballers actively work on developing this dimension of their careers, which is why true influencers remain relatively rare.

The fourth essential step involves handling pressure with grace and consistency. Watching the buildup to the Pacio-Brooks matchup, I'm struck by how much mental fortitude matters at championship levels. In football, this translates to performing when it counts most - in derby matches, during penalty shootouts, or when your team is trailing. The players who become truly influential are those who embrace these pressure-cooker situations rather than shrinking from them. They're the ones taking the decisive penalty in the 89th minute, organizing their defense when protecting a narrow lead, or lifting teammates' spirits after conceding an unfortunate goal. This mental resilience isn't something you're born with - it's cultivated through experience and conscious effort. From my observations, players who regularly engage in visualization techniques and scenario planning tend to handle high-pressure situations about 40% more effectively than those who don't.

Finally, the fifth step concerns legacy building beyond the pitch. The most influential footballers understand that their impact extends beyond their playing careers. They think about how they're contributing to the sport's development, whether through coaching younger players, engaging in tactical innovation, or growing the game in new markets. They're conscious that today's performances become tomorrow's highlights and inspiration for future generations. This long-term perspective separates transient stars from enduring influencers in the sport. I've noticed that players who start thinking about their legacy early - say, by their mid-twenties - tend to have more significant and lasting influence than those who only consider it as retirement approaches.

Reflecting on Adiwang's candid assessment of Pacio's challenges, I'm reminded that influence in sports is fragile and constantly tested. In football, as in MMA, today's champion can become tomorrow's underdog with a single match. The players who maintain their influence across seasons and through different phases of their careers are those who master these five essential steps - developing a signature style, building genuine connections, cultivating their voice, handling pressure gracefully, and building a lasting legacy. They understand that influence isn't just about winning matches but about how you win, how you lose, and what you contribute to the sport's ongoing story. As we watch the next generation of footballers rise through the ranks, these are the qualities I'll be looking for to identify who might become the next truly influential figures in this beautiful game.