Football is a sport that is tough physically and mentally. Physically, you could be crashing into a defender or mentally you may be overcome with anger from missing an open goal scoring opportunity. Football teaches lessons and one of the most important is to never give up.

Every year, football players are released from academies and fail at football trials, but most of these players continue in their attempts to find a career. They don’t give up and, many times, try harder than they did previously to earn a football contract.

In July 2017, the story of Shamusyaraff Shamsuden made headlines in Singapore. At 11-years old in 2013, Shamsuden was invited to a trial with one of Singapore’s most successful clubs, Geylang International. The youngster, though extremely talented at the young of 11, failed his trial and was unable to join the youth teams of Geylang.

Shamsuden didn’t worry about it and he continued playing football. His abilities and skills increased, and he was able to attend a second trial this summer. Now 15, the midfielder wowed coaches at a session with his football skills. However, it wasn’t just what he could do on the ball that made coaches take notice. Shamsuden surprised everyone with his leadership, which is an ability coaches can’t teach players. Geylang’s coaches were so overwhelmed with what they saw, Shamsuden was invited to played with the club’s under-17 team.

The midfielder’s story is one that many young football players should take to heart. You may get knocked down, but football teaches you to get back up.

Football trials can be very difficult, and not every experience can be one in which you get offered a place at a club. But players who continue to improve their skills in training can still find a way to succeed in the sport. It may be cliched, but football players should never give up when pursuing their dreams.