Don't listen to anyone.

Rejection in football is inevitable, and opinions from others are everywhere. However, neither has a place in defining your future. In this blog, I’ll explain why rejection and opinions don’t matter and share a real-life story to back it up.

My name is Alan Deriard, and I’m a full-time football agent and the co-founder of Elite Football, Australia’s largest player agency. We work with over 25 professional clubs in Europe, South America, and the UAE, helping players navigate their careers.

Why Opinions and Rejection Don’t Define You

Players often hear phrases like “Rejection is a stepping stone” or “Keep knocking on doors.” While those are valuable messages, I want to share a real-life experience to show you why rejection truly doesn’t matter in football.

Real-Life Example of Football Rejection

Recently, I held three Elite Football events in Australia, where we hosted professional club scouts to observe players. At one particular event in Melbourne, over 60 players attended, including three players I had recently signed with professional clubs in Europe.

To test the scouts’ evaluation process, I didn’t tell them that these three players were already signed. I introduced them as regular participants without context. The scouts conducted training sessions, made observations, and discussed player performance over three days.

The surprising outcome? None of the three signed players were selected by the scouts.

At the end of the event, when I revealed the truth about these players, the scouts still defended their opinions and decisions, completely dismissing the talents of the players I had signed.

What This Means for Football Players

This experience taught me—and I hope it teaches you—that opinions in football are subjective. No matter how talented you are, different clubs and scouts will have varying perspectives on your abilities.

For example, I can sign a player to a first-division club in Spain, but another first-division club may not be interested in that same player. This proves that rejection and opinions are unreliable measures of your potential.

Why You Shouldn’t Let Rejection Define You

If you’ve been:

Take it with a grain of salt. Until you’ve heard it from 30 clubs, you haven’t sampled enough opinions to make a real judgment. Rejection is just part of the process—not the end of the road.

Exposure and Persistence Are Key

In football, the players who keep pushing for opportunities—those who trial at multiple clubs and put themselves out there—are the ones who succeed. It’s not about talent alone; it’s about putting yourself in the right places to be seen.

If you rely solely on one opportunity, one trial, or one person’s opinion, you’ll limit your chances of success. The football world is unpredictable, and rejection should never discourage you from moving forward.

Final Thoughts on Handling Rejection in Football

Rejection in football is a reality, but it doesn’t define your career. Whether you’re an amateur, semi-pro, or aspiring pro, remember:

If three players signed to professional European clubs can go unnoticed at a trial, imagine how many talented players are overlooked every day.

Take Action—Keep Moving Forward

Don’t let opinions or rejection hold you back. Keep improving, keep pushing for opportunities, and most importantly, don’t quit. Success in football is about resilience, exposure, and determination.

If you’re serious about improving your chances of going pro, consider working with Elite Football. With a proven track record and strong connections to 25+ professional clubs, we’re here to help you defy the odds and take your game to the next level.