2025-03-07, 08:38 AM - Word count: 517
The referee signals the end of the match versus Atletico. A 5-3 win that was way closer than it needed to be. But that was fine for now. With a draw in the Accra match and a win here, Istanbul was finally back on track. Predrag still felt like he wasn't performing optimally but at least he was going ghost less and less. Predrag hit the showers and got ready for the flight back home.
On the plane back he thought about his performances. Realistically, his performances in the Academy didn't mean much. Everyone get's drafted and will have play time. The pay is better and there is more prestige in the Minor league, the Cup and eventually the Major league. All he has to do is keep at it, no matter the results. But something about that didn't sit right with him. He didn't become a football player because it was the sensible and logical job. He hadn't even trained in football before coming to the Academy. He did it out of impulse, out of desire.
No. He can't just "play out" the rest of the season. He must win the league and he must win the Academy Golden boot. For what reason? He wasn't sure of that yet and he didn't need to be. What mattered most now was just winning. When the plane finally lands back in Istanbul, Predrag wastes no time in coming up with a separate training schedule for himself in addition to what is already being asked of him.
First he started on his physical abilities. He had refocused his efforts from the start of the season to improve his ability in this area but he sacrificed a lot of mental focus and technical skill. Now he planned to push his body even further as well as regain what he lost. He wanted to improve his jumping ability as well as his heading so that he could be a more complete threat. Next he focused on improving his anticipation and vision to better predict opponent movement. He hated being caught offside. Finally he wanted to refine his technique even more. He wanted to be a more dangerous player when inside the box so he shifted his focus on being able to place shots in difficult areas.
All that was left was training. Training, training and more training. Hours, days even weeks of effort. Against all medical advice from friends, family and professionals, Predrag kept pushing himself. All under the idea that he wanted to be a better player. But deep down he knew the truth. He wasn't trying to be better. He was punishing himself for already not being at this level. When the fans cheered his name, when they asked for his shirt, when they made highlights of his goals online, they didn't know the real him. That's what he told himself at least. He was a fraud in his eyes. And the least he could do was keep acting and make sure they never found out.
On the plane back he thought about his performances. Realistically, his performances in the Academy didn't mean much. Everyone get's drafted and will have play time. The pay is better and there is more prestige in the Minor league, the Cup and eventually the Major league. All he has to do is keep at it, no matter the results. But something about that didn't sit right with him. He didn't become a football player because it was the sensible and logical job. He hadn't even trained in football before coming to the Academy. He did it out of impulse, out of desire.
No. He can't just "play out" the rest of the season. He must win the league and he must win the Academy Golden boot. For what reason? He wasn't sure of that yet and he didn't need to be. What mattered most now was just winning. When the plane finally lands back in Istanbul, Predrag wastes no time in coming up with a separate training schedule for himself in addition to what is already being asked of him.
First he started on his physical abilities. He had refocused his efforts from the start of the season to improve his ability in this area but he sacrificed a lot of mental focus and technical skill. Now he planned to push his body even further as well as regain what he lost. He wanted to improve his jumping ability as well as his heading so that he could be a more complete threat. Next he focused on improving his anticipation and vision to better predict opponent movement. He hated being caught offside. Finally he wanted to refine his technique even more. He wanted to be a more dangerous player when inside the box so he shifted his focus on being able to place shots in difficult areas.
All that was left was training. Training, training and more training. Hours, days even weeks of effort. Against all medical advice from friends, family and professionals, Predrag kept pushing himself. All under the idea that he wanted to be a better player. But deep down he knew the truth. He wasn't trying to be better. He was punishing himself for already not being at this level. When the fans cheered his name, when they asked for his shirt, when they made highlights of his goals online, they didn't know the real him. That's what he told himself at least. He was a fraud in his eyes. And the least he could do was keep acting and make sure they never found out.
