Advertise on podcast: How to Become a Professional Footballer

Want to play pro? Book a free call with my team 👇 ⁠https://go.ricfit.com/podcast-spotify The RicFit Pathway helps players aged 12 to 30 earn real trials with pro clubs. Most FIFA agents focus on academy players, established professionals, and players who already have strong club pedigrees.I focus on the players they overlook.I’m a FIFA Licensed Agent, former professional player, and former professional club GM. After playing professionally for 11 years across five countries without coming through the traditional academy pathway, I built RicFit to help overlooked players create a legitimate route into professional football.That includes NCAA, NAIA, UPSL, NPSL, USL League Two, semi-pro, amateur, and free-agent players who believe they can play at a higher level but do not know how to get there. In this podcast, I break down: Why talented non-academy players struggle to get noticedWhy combines and open trials often failWhat professional clubs actually look for when recruitingWhat makes a player worth representingHow to prepare physically for the professional levelWhy your footage, CV, passport, position, level, and market fit matterHow direct professional trials actually happenHow RicFit prepares overlooked players for legitimate club opportunities You do not need a famous academy on your CV to become a professional footballer.But talent alone is not enough.You need to be good enough, physically ready, positioned in the right market, presented correctly, and connected to clubs that are actually looking for your profile.That is the system we built RicFit around. Apply below to see if you qualify for the RicFit Pathway. ⁠https://go.ricfit.com/podcast-spotify

Want to play pro? Book a free call with my team: ⁠https://go.ricfit.com/podcast-spotify The RicFit Pathway helps players aged 12 to 30 earn real trials with pro clubs. How do you go from playing UPSL and NCAA Division III soccer to signing a professional soccer contract in Europe in just 3 months? This is the story of Tomas Menna.Tomas is a 23-year-old striker/winger from Minnesota who played NCAA Division III college soccer, UPSL and USL League Two. Before joining RicFit, he was also training as a practice player with an MLS NEXT Pro club. But there was one major problem. Nobody was giving him a decision. He was training, waiting and trying to figure out his career on his own without knowing what the next step was. Tomas came to RicFit after being recommended by one of our former players, Aaron Wiley. From the beginning, we could see his work ethic and professionalism. But he was also spending too much energy thinking about everything happening off the field.That is where our system came in. His responsibility was simple: focus on becoming the best footballer possible.Our responsibility was everything around his career: career strategy, club networking, finding the right market, creating opportunities, trials, contracts and negotiations. Within three months of working together, Tomas earned a trial with a club in Slovakia.He went there, proved his level and signed.Today, he is starting, becoming an important player for the club and building the foundation for the next step in his professional career. Tomas has the athleticism, 1v1 ability, goalscoring ability and mentality to keep climbing.But his story also shows something bigger.If you are playing NCAA college soccer, UPSL, NPSL, USL League Two, semi-professional soccer or outside a major academy, there is still a pathway into professional soccer in Europe.You need the level. You need to prepare properly. You need to target clubs and leagues that actually fit you. And you need the right people managing the business side of your career so you can focus on performing.That is what we do at RicFit. We help overlooked, non-academy footballers become recruitable and create a realistic pathway toward their first professional contract. Apply to work with RicFit: ⁠https://go.ricfit.com/podcast-spotify

Want to play pro? Book a free call with my team ⁠https://go.ricfit.com/podcast-spotify From NCAA Division II National Champion to professional football in Europe. Martin Carpena’s journey shows what it actually takes to turn a successful college soccer career into a professional opportunity. After playing in top academies in Colombia, Martin moved to the United States, competed in NCAA Division II, played USL League Two, and won a national championship with Franklin Pierce University. But winning a national championship didn’t automatically lead to a professional contract.Martin continued searching for opportunities, training with Greenville Triumph, competing in the UPSL, and attending trials in Hong Kong and Germany. Through his work with RicFit, Martin eventually secured an opportunity in Slovakia, where he’s now playing professionally. In this interview, we discuss: Why being a successful college player doesn’t guarantee a professional contractWhat football trials in Europe are actually likeThe difference between American and European footballHow Martin secured his opportunity in SlovakiaWhy mentality, consistency, and preparation matter to professional clubsHow RicFit supports overlooked footballers pursuing professional opportunities Whether you’re playing NCAA soccer, USL2, UPSL, or semi-professionally, Martin’s journey demonstrates why having a clear pathway matters. Apply to speak with our team: ⁠https://go.ricfit.com/podcast-spotify

Want to play pro? Book a free call with my team 👇 ⁠https://go.ricfit.com/podcast-spotify The RicFit Pathway helps players aged 12 to 30 earn real trials with pro clubs. Can you become a professional footballer through international football academies and open trials?Jesus Lucio spent 10 months at an international football academy and attended open football trials trying to find a professional football opportunity in Europe. But despite investing time into the traditional academy and trial route, he still hadn't found the right club. After working with RicFit, we changed his football career strategy, identified a more realistic European market, prepared him for the right opportunities, and helped him eventually sign with a football club in Germany. In this case study, FIFA Licensed Agent and RicFit founder Eric Friedlander sits down with Jesus to break down his complete journey from international academy player and open trials to signing in German football. We cover: • Whether international football academies are worth it • The problem with relying on open football trials• How footballers can find clubs at the right level in Europe • How to prepare for professional football trials • How RicFit evaluates the right market for a player • What clubs actually look for when signing foreign players • How Jesus got his opportunity in Germany • What overlooked footballers should do differently when trying to sign their first contract This is especially relevant for college soccer players, UPSL players, NPSL players, USL League Two players, academy players, semi-professional players and overlooked footballers trying to play professionally in Europe.

Before RicFit, Eder Pacagnella was trying to create his own professional football opportunities. He was reaching out to clubs himself, sending messages and trying to figure out which teams and markets would actually give him a realistic chance. But getting into professional football takes more than contacting as many clubs as possible. When Eder joined RicFit, we built the entire pathway around him.We worked on his physical preparation, football development, footage and player profile, career strategy, market positioning and trial readiness. Then our scouting team used our club network to identify opportunities that actually matched his level and position. That process took Eder to Germany, where he earned his opportunity and signed.But the bigger result came after the first contract. Eder performed, established himself in German football and has now officially re-signed for his second season. He went from trying to contact clubs himself to building a real professional career in Europe. That is what we do at RicFit.We don't just send players random trial opportunities. We develop the player, build the career strategy, identify the right market, prepare them for the opportunity and then use our football network to help put them in front of clubs where they have a realistic chance of signing. Eder got his first opportunity. Then he proved he belonged. Now he is going into year two in Germany. If you want to understand where you currently stand and what your realistic next move is, apply for a free consultation:⁠https://go.ricfit.com/podcast-spotify

A few weeks ago, a 22-year-old player with 4 years of NCAA Division 3 football and a strong highlight video messaged me: “Ric, why won’t anyone respond?” He had spent 5 months contacting agencies. Not one responded. The reason had nothing to do with his talent. It had everything to do with whether he had built enough value for an agent to invest time into him. In this video, I explain exactly how football representation works from the inside, why most players approach agents the wrong way, and what you actually need to build before clubs and agents start taking you seriously. Most players think the solution is sending more emails, improving their subject line, or finding more agents.That is usually the wrong approach.Professional football runs on proof. Agents, clubs, and scouts need evidence that you can perform at the next level. That means building: Competitive match experienceProfessional appearancesA strong football CVVerified performance dataThe right network and strategy If you want to understand where you currently stand and what your realistic next move is, apply for a free consultation:https://go.ricfit.com/podcast-spotify

Brian spent 10 years chasing opportunities in football. After failed experiences, expensive promises, and almost giving up, he finally found a structured pathway that helped him earn a professional opportunity in Europe. This is the reality of football: talent is not enough. Players need the right preparation, strategy, exposure, and people around them. If you are an overlooked player trying to reach the next level, this is what the journey actually looks like. Apply for RicFit:https://go.ricfit.com/podcast-spotify

Jake Keegan was once told he wasn’t good enough to play NCAA Division I soccer. He went on to become Binghamton University’s leading Division I goalscorer, earn a Philadelphia Union draft selection, start his professional journey in Germany’s 6th tier, play in Ireland, Canada and the United States, and build a professional career lasting more than a decade.But his path was anything but straightforward. Jake spent months searching for opportunities, went on trials that led nowhere, accepted a contract far below the level he ultimately wanted to reach, lived with other American players in difficult conditions, dealt with injuries, changed clubs and eventually had to adapt from being a key starter to an experienced veteran.In this episode Jake breaks down what actually allowed him to stay in professional football for more than a decade. We cover: • Why starting at a lower level can accelerate your career • Going from Germany’s 6th tier to professional football in Ireland • Getting drafted by Philadelphia Union • Why relationships can create opportunities agents cannot • How to network with players, coaches and football decision-makers • Why players need to understand their real market value • The mistake of trying to jump levels before dominating your current one• How Jake has stayed healthy into his mid-30s • Dealing with rejection, injuries and losing your starting position • Why character matters more than most young players realize • What life as a professional footballer actually looks like Jake’s career is proof of an important principle:Your first opportunity does not need to be your dream opportunity. It needs to give you a legitimate platform to perform, build evidence and earn the next one. If you’re an overlooked college, amateur or semi-professional player trying to build a pathway toward professional football, this episode shows what that process can actually look like. Follow Jake Keegan:Instagram: @keegan.jake Want help building your pathway toward professional football?Apply through the link below to speak with the RicFit team: https://ricfit.typeform.com/to/QvxmnMny

For non-European players, breaking into the professional game overseas can feel impossible without an EU passport. But there’s a proven path. In this episode, we walk through the exact step-by-step process that helps players overcome visa barriers, land trials, and secure contracts abroad. From choosing the right countries to building a standout profile, you’ll learn how to navigate the system and create opportunities; even when the odds are stacked against you.

The U.S. system is stacked against late bloomers and overlooked players chasing a professional career. In this episode, we break down why staying in the States makes it almost impossible to go pro; and what you need to do instead. From the flaws in college soccer to the realities of the American pathway, we expose the hard truths most players don’t want to hear. If you’re serious about signing a contract, this is the wake-up call that could change your future.

Most players are told their dream is over by their mid-20s; but 7MLC proved otherwise. At 30 years old, he signed his first professional contract, defying every expectation. In this episode, we unpack his late-bloomer journey, the relentless work behind it, and the lessons any player chasing the pro dream can apply. If you’ve ever felt like time is running out, this story shows it’s never too late to make it happen.

Going from U.S. Division 3 college soccer to the Bundesliga sounds impossible; but it’s been done. In this episode, we dive into the journey of an American player who climbed from the overlooked D3 level all the way to Germany’s top flight. You’ll hear the mindset shifts, sacrifices, and strategic moves that made the leap possible. If you’ve ever been told your level or background isn’t enough, this story will change the way you see what’s possible in football.

Most players believe you need an agent, a big academy background, or powerful connections to sign your first pro deal. The truth? You don’t. In this episode, we reveal how overlooked footballers break through without a network of contacts. From building your own opportunities, to crafting a standout profile, to landing trials the smart way; you’ll learn the exact steps that turn underdogs into professionals. If you’ve ever felt like the odds are stacked against you, this episode proves you can still make it happen.

Playing for Lyon How to Turn PRO No Matter Where You're From! In this episode you will hear the story of what it was like to play for Lyon and the lessons learned on the journey to becoming a professional. We break down the mindset, training habits, and career moves that prove it does not matter where you come from or what path you take, there is always a way to reach the pro level. If you are chasing a contract this conversation will give you practical steps and the belief that your background does not define your ceiling.

From Being Told He'd Never Make It, To Playing In Bundesliga... This is the story of a player who was counted out early in his career and told he would never make it. Instead of giving up he used that doubt as fuel and went on to play in one of the best leagues in the world, the Bundesliga. In this episode we dive into his journey, the setbacks he had to overcome, and the mindset that carried him through. It is a powerful reminder that belief, persistence, and hard work can take you further than anyone else’s opinion.