What would it take to be a Brazilian international footballer?

I'm a brilliant footballer in training but can't take it into matches. Help.?

• I'm 21 and I play a fairly high standard of football (soccer) and I'm struggling with confidence in matches. My teammates are all quality players. In training/practice matches I would selfishly say I'm on the best player in the side. Fitness, skill, technique and speed. In a game, I don't feel as fit as I do in training, I feel slower, my touch is worse off as is my approach to the game. Any suggestions. From a striker who's scored 4 in 19. Two seasons ago I scored 41 in 38. All have no history of injuries. Help! Thank you.

• Answer:

  I actually get players asking me to help them with their confidence issues all the time. The solution is actually quite simple but only if you have an open mind. If you say… “that wouldn’t work for me” or “I can’t do that” then it will not work for you. But on the other hand, if you are willing to try and learn and fail and try again, your new-found confidence will be waiting for you around the corner. You actually already have confidence inside of you, it’s simply a matter of bringing it out to the surface. If you want to be confident this you must do these 5 things: 1) Practice everyday

 If you want to get your confidence up, you need to get your game up. The more time you put into practicing and improving your skills, fitness, and understanding of the game, the more confident you will be when you step on the field. Practicing hard everyday gives you the right to be confident. Start working for your confidence. 

2) Only allow positive self-talk 

One of the quickest ways to get your confidence down is to eliminate negative self-talk. Negative self-talk happens every time that little voice in your head that tells you not to mess up or that you can’t do something or you aren’t good enough. You need to eliminate that type of self-talk and replace it with positive statements that will keep you confidence and bring more success your way. Change “I can’t do this” to “I will do my best” or “Don’t screw up” to “How can I succeed in this situation?”. This small change in mindset can make huge changes in your confidence and on field performance.
 
 3) Get out of your comfort zone 
If you want to be more confident you have to do things that make you uncomfortable. The more often you can do this, the more confident you will be. Tony Robbins the great self help coach said it best “If you can’t, you must” and “If you must, you can.” Run towards your fears, the quicker you can conquer them the more confidence you will be rewarded with. 

4) Review your performances 

 Another helpful tip to help you improve your game and in turn your confidence is the act of reviewing your performances in games and training. If you can look back and acknowledge your success and find new solutions to your failures you will not only slowly improve your game but finding solutions to your problems will make you more confident. Do this at night (in bed before you fall asleep) after every game and practice.

 5) Keep learning

 If you want to become more confident, you need to educate yourself. If you are always learning and always becoming better, there is no reason you shouldn’t be confident. You are slowly earning the right to be confident. Keep learning something new every single day. To help you improve your confidence even more I want you to pick up the Free Soccer Training Guide and try the beginner program at the end of the book. I promise if you stick to it and give your best effort each day you will see changes in your skills, fitness, and most importantly confidence. You can get that Free Training Guide as well as weekly tips and updates by filling out the form on the right side bar of my website (http://www.the-soccer-essentials.com) 

I want you to write back after you have completed the program and tell me about your improvements. Best of luck and keep me posted on your progress.