I have been asking myself this question for a long time, even before I started this blog. I have analysed this from every angle possible and every day I think about it extensively. Ronaldinho is able to manipulate the ball in any direction he wishes and when he does something with the ball, he means it, never by accident. It is this sixth sense he has with the ball that I wonder about and need to ascertain. Let’s explore this further by asking the following questions:

• What part does natural talent play in becoming a great player?
• And how long do you and I need to be training to be like Ronaldinho

How Much Further Will Natural Talent Take You?

I am sure that I possess a natural talent for the game of football and I am sure many of you do too. I just know that I do because having a ball at my feet almost feels natural and when I juggle the ball, nothing else gives me more joy. Unfortunately for me, this talent was not nurtured at an early age, not early enough anyway. I was 8 years old until I got my first pair of football boots and have never really been encouraged to take my football further than I already have. For these reasons I really need to work hard on my game and make up for lost time all those years ago when I should’ve been training, making myself a force to be reckoned with. The point I want to illustrate here is that having natural talent to play football is great and it does help your cause to become a great footballer, however, it is how much work you put in that really counts.

So How Much Training Then?

It all depends on what you’re aiming for. I always go for broke by aiming really high, that way if I fail, I can fall down to a lower level of football that is being played. So if you wanted to be a really good player I suggest you train at least 5 times a week with/without a team of people. If you want to be a great footballer like Ronaldinho, the amount of training that is required is astounding and is on par with having no life outside of football. I could be wrong here, but you’re here to read my opinions and posts, so I’m giving it to you straight with no sugar-coating. Get a ball around you, always be doing something with it and above all, get out onto the park because that is where the dreams and  magic happens, no where else.

Note: Please don’t disregard fitness here, because it is a necessary thing to have when you play football. I have covered fitness before, however, there are many facets of it and I haven’t been specific, so watch out for some more fitness related posts in the future.