Becoming a professional footballer takes much more than skills and talent.  You will need to learn new skills such as finding and dealing with agents, evaluating club contracts, managing your finances, and the media world.  This is the first time that you are entirely "on your own" and making legal decisions that affect your day to day life.  It is critical to have a solid support team of professionals to rely on including a good mentor to help keep you on the right path to success.