Four Levels of Athletes: Why Most Players Never Go Pro

Every young athlete believes they’re special.

When you're a teenager chasing a dream, it's almost automatic to think:
"I’m better than most people. I’ll make it someday."

And honestly? That belief isn’t a bad thing. In fact, a little bit of delusion can be incredibly powerful. It fuels ambition, confidence, and the courage to chase big goals.

But here’s the catch.

Millions of athletes around the world feel exactly the same way.

They have the same dream. The same confidence. The same belief that one day they’ll become professional athletes.

So, the real question becomes:

What actually separates the few who succeed from the millions who don’t?

According to football agent Alan Deriard, the answer lies in understanding the four levels of athletes, a framework that reveals why most players never make it to the professional stage.

Let’s break it down.

The Reality of Chasing Big Dreams

When you’re young, the world feels wide open. 🌍

You see professional athletes on television and think:

"They did it. Why can’t I?"

At that stage in life, you haven’t yet seen the full reality of the journey — the odds, the politics, the competition, and the sheer number of talented players trying to reach the same destination.

Over time, reality begins to settle in.

You start noticing that thousands — even millions — of people are chasing the exact same dream.

Some have more resources.
Some have better coaching.
Some have stronger networks.

Suddenly, talent alone doesn’t seem like enough anymore.

And that’s where many athletes start falling behind.

The Delusion Every Athlete Needs

Interestingly, a certain level of delusion is actually necessary for success.

Think about it.

If every athlete fully understood the odds from the beginning, many would never even try.

Young athletes — especially in their teenage years — often possess a powerful belief that they’re destined for greatness. That belief pushes them to train harder, compete harder, and take risks others avoid.

But there’s a fine line between belief and entitlement.

Healthy delusion says:

“I know the odds are tough, but I’ll outwork everyone.”

Entitlement says:

“I deserve success because I’m talented.”

The difference between those two mindsets can determine whether someone builds a professional football career or quietly fades away.

The Critical Development Window (Ages 13–25)

In elite sports, time matters.

For most athletes chasing professional football careers, the ages between 13 and 25 are the most important development years.

During this period, players typically have:

• The most available time
• Rapid physical development
• Fewer life responsibilities
• High learning capacity

This window is where habits are built.

Players who use these years wisely often create momentum that carries them into professional opportunities.

Meanwhile, many others waste these years — assuming their talent will eventually carry them forward.

Unfortunately, the sports world doesn’t work that way.

The Four Levels of Athletes

After years of working with amateur players chasing professional opportunities in Europe, Alan Deriard noticed clear patterns.

Players could be grouped into four distinct categories based on mindset, discipline, and performance.

Understanding these levels can help you evaluate exactly where you stand.

Level 1: Dreamers

Dreamers are the most common type of aspiring athlete.

They talk about success constantly — but their actions rarely match their words.

Typical characteristics include:

• Complaining about obstacles
• Blaming coaches or teammates
• Avoiding difficult training sessions
• Giving up when challenges appear
  

For dreamers, even small setbacks feel overwhelming.

Instead of adjusting and improving, they often look for excuses.

They might say things like:

• “The coach doesn’t like me.”
• “I didn’t get enough playing time.”
• “If I had better opportunities, I’d be pro.”
  

But the truth is simple.

Dreamers want success, but they’re not willing to do the work required to earn it.

Level 2: Workers

Workers are much better than dreamers.

They train regularly, show up on time, and generally maintain good habits.

In fact, about 70% of serious athletes fall into this category.

But here’s the problem.

Workers are good at everything — yet exceptional at nothing.

They’re solid players, dependable teammates, and decent performers. However, they rarely stand out enough to grab the attention of scouts or coaches.

In football, being average is dangerous.

Why?

Because coaches remember two types of players:

• The terrible mistakes
• The outstanding performers
  

Workers often fall into the middle — not bad enough to be memorable, but not great enough to stand out.

And in elite sports, being forgotten is the fastest way to disappear.

Level 3: Competitors

Now things start getting serious.

Competitors possess a completely different mentality.

These players are:

• Disciplined
• Mentally strong
• Focused under pressure
• Extremely driven
  

Competitors can absolutely reach professional levels.

Many athletes who sign their first professional contract or scholarship come from this category.

But competitors still face one major challenge:

Consistency.

A competitor might have a brilliant performance one week — dominating the game and impressing everyone watching.

Then the next week?

They might deliver a terrible performance.

That inconsistency creates doubt for coaches and scouts.

And in professional football, reliability matters just as much as talent.

Level 4: Pros

This is the level every athlete should aim for.

Professional-level players possess three key qualities:

• Consistency
• Resilience
• Adaptability

They perform well in:

• Big games
• Tough environments
• High-pressure situations

Unlike competitors, their performance doesn’t fluctuate dramatically.

Instead, they deliver strong performances week after week.

These athletes understand something most players don’t:

Success isn’t about occasional brilliance.

It’s about reliable excellence over time.

The “Burn the Ships” Mentality

One of the most powerful concepts in elite performance is the idea of total commitment.

There’s a famous historical story about Spanish conqueror Hernán Cortés.

When he arrived in Mexico with his army, he gave a shocking order:

Burn the ships.

Why?

Because if the ships were gone, there was no way to retreat.

The soldiers had only two options:

• Die trying
• Win

That extreme level of commitment forced everyone to focus completely on victory.

This philosophy has become known as the “Burn the Ships” mentality.

For athletes chasing elite careers, it represents total dedication to the goal.

Many people keep backup plans because deep down, they expect failure.

But those who truly reach the top often focus entirely on one path.

They commit their energy, time, and effort to making it work.

The Work Nobody Sees

One of the biggest misconceptions about professional athletes is that success happens on game day.

In reality, success happens when nobody is watching.

Elite athletes build their careers through:

• Early morning training
• Repetitive skill work
• Mental discipline
• Late-night recovery
• Consistent effort
  

They show up when:

• Training feels boring
• Results aren’t immediate
• Progress feels slow
  

Over time, those small daily actions compound into elite performance.

Eventually, the gap between them and everyone else becomes impossible to ignore.

How to Move Up the Levels

If you’re serious about becoming a professional athlete, start by asking yourself an honest question:

Which level are you currently in?

Then focus on moving upward.

Here are a few practical steps:

Improve Self-Awareness

Be brutally honest about your strengths and weaknesses.

Build Elite Habits

Consistency beats motivation every time.

Train When It’s Boring

The most important work happens on ordinary days.

Develop Mental Toughness

Pressure is part of professional sports.

Commit Fully

Stop treating your dream like a hobby.

Final Thoughts

Millions of athletes dream about becoming professionals.

But only a small percentage ever get close.

Not because they lacked talent.

But because they stopped pushing forward.

They settled.
They hesitated.
They chose easier paths.

Understanding the four levels of athletes — Dreamers, Workers, Competitors, and Pros — gives you a clear lens to evaluate your own journey.

If you’re serious about reaching the professional level, aim for the highest standard.

Train when it's difficult.
Work when nobody is watching.
Stay consistent when others fade away.

Eventually, the difference between you and everyone else becomes obvious.

And that’s when dreams start turning into reality. ⚽

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the four levels of athletes?

The four levels are Dreamers, Workers, Competitors, and Pros. These categories describe the mindset, discipline, and consistency athletes demonstrate in their pursuit of professional careers.

Why do most football players never go pro?

Most players fail to reach the professional level because they lack consistency, discipline, and the ability to stand out among thousands of competitors.

Is talent enough to become a professional footballer?

No. Talent helps, but discipline, consistency, and mental toughness are usually the factors that separate professionals from amateurs.

What is the burn the ships mentality?

The burn the ships mentality refers to committing fully to a goal without having backup plans that allow retreat.

What age is most important for athlete development?

For most athletes, the years between 13 and 25 are the most critical period for developing the skills and habits necessary for elite performance.