Edinburgh Napier University

  The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between early specialization and career progression in football (soccer). Young footballers are often motivated to specialize at an early age by aspirations of reaching elite level. However, research around the appropriateness of early specialization to reach elite level remains unclear, with potential links to future dropout. Qualitative data was gathered via face-to-face, individual, semi-structured interviews. Participants formed two sample groups: (a) five current elite professional footballers (M = age 26.8), and (b) five dropped-out footballers (M = age 22). Professional footballers described experiences of good coach relationships, enjoyable specialized environments, and family support throughout their development pathway. Conversely, dropout footballers spoke about over-emphasis on winning within specialized environments and excessive pressure by adults involved in their decision-making processes. Early specialization in football can lead to both dropout and elite professional performance; however, there are critical differences in specialized environment experiences that may affect a footballer’s career outcome.