Footballers are known for their incredible skills on the pitch, but it seems that some of them take things a bit too far when interacting with amateur players. Take Iliman Ndiaye, for instance. The Everton player recently pulled off an impressive move during a training session, which he described as "just a joke" - or so he claimed.
In reality, the move was more like something out of a Harlem Globetrotters exhibition match, complete with a reverse nutmeg that left his opponent reeling. While it's understandable that Ndiaye might want to show off his skills, some people have raised concerns about the level of physicality involved in football - especially when it comes to players who are still learning and developing their craft.
The issue is not new, however. Other professional footballers, such as Michael Owen and Christian Eriksen, have been known to engage in nutmegs with their opponents, leaving them visibly frustrated or even tearful. Shinji Kagawa, a former Manchester United player, was even accused of using social media to taunt his opponents after losing matches.
But while some players may enjoy the thrill of outmaneuvering their opponents, others are left to pick up the pieces and wonder what they could have done differently. And that's where the real challenge lies - not just in mastering the skills required to play at a professional level, but also in developing the mental toughness and resilience needed to cope with setbacks and disappointments.
According to estimates, only 180 out of 1.5 million boys currently playing organized youth football in England will ever go on to play in the Premier League. That's a sobering statistic that highlights just how tough it is for young players to break into the top flight.
As one player, Kevar March-McKenzie, noted after being rejected by Coventry City, "You have to believe in yourself and never give up." And while it's easier said than done, he has taken heart from Ndiaye's example and remains determined to pursue his dreams. Whether or not he will succeed is anyone's guess - but one thing is for sure: the next time you're watching a football match, keep an eye out for some of these talented young players who are fighting their way up the ranks.
In reality, the move was more like something out of a Harlem Globetrotters exhibition match, complete with a reverse nutmeg that left his opponent reeling. While it's understandable that Ndiaye might want to show off his skills, some people have raised concerns about the level of physicality involved in football - especially when it comes to players who are still learning and developing their craft.
The issue is not new, however. Other professional footballers, such as Michael Owen and Christian Eriksen, have been known to engage in nutmegs with their opponents, leaving them visibly frustrated or even tearful. Shinji Kagawa, a former Manchester United player, was even accused of using social media to taunt his opponents after losing matches.
But while some players may enjoy the thrill of outmaneuvering their opponents, others are left to pick up the pieces and wonder what they could have done differently. And that's where the real challenge lies - not just in mastering the skills required to play at a professional level, but also in developing the mental toughness and resilience needed to cope with setbacks and disappointments.
According to estimates, only 180 out of 1.5 million boys currently playing organized youth football in England will ever go on to play in the Premier League. That's a sobering statistic that highlights just how tough it is for young players to break into the top flight.
As one player, Kevar March-McKenzie, noted after being rejected by Coventry City, "You have to believe in yourself and never give up." And while it's easier said than done, he has taken heart from Ndiaye's example and remains determined to pursue his dreams. Whether or not he will succeed is anyone's guess - but one thing is for sure: the next time you're watching a football match, keep an eye out for some of these talented young players who are fighting their way up the ranks.
, i'm loving iliman ndiaye's skills on the pitch 
, but what's really impressing me is how he can still be humble and down-to-earth about it 
. like, yeah, it was just a joke to him, but we get it, bro 
. the thing that gets me though is when other pro players start getting all extra with their nutmegs 
, leaving those amateur kids all frustrated and stuff 
.
, i mean, michael owen and christian eriksen are still gonna get roasted on the pitch for this kinda behavior 
. but what really gets me is when pro players start using social media to roast their opponents after a loss 
, that's just low, dude.
, kudos to kevar march-mckenzie for keeping it positive and believing in himself 
. we need more players like him who are all about the grind and not getting discouraged by setbacks 
.
... when was the last time we saw some pros showing their softer side? like, they don't just get to be superheroes on the pitch... it's a tough game and you're gonna take losses. Ndiaye's move might've been cool I guess but it's not exactly the kind of thing that'll help young players feel more confident 
. And let's be real, some pros can be super trash talkers after games. Like, Eriksen got roasted for his reaction after losing a match 
and still get away with it...like Iliman Ndiaye's move was straight fire 
but at the same time, I feel for those young amateur players who are trying their best and might not be able to keep up 
. Its all about mental toughness and resilience you know?
nindaye's move might've been lit 
esp with those young guys just trying to learn the game 
they're already dealing with so much pressure 
and it's not cool when pros make 'em feel like they're not good enough 
maybe we should see more sportsmanship on the pitch 
it's so sad to see young players getting frustrated and upset on the pitch... i mean, we know pro players like iliman ndiaye have been doing nutmegs for ages, but it still hurts when they do it to someone who's just starting out 
And yeah, stats are pretty wild - only 180 out of 1.5 million making it to the Premier League... that's just crazy 
but seriously tho... these pro footballers need 2 take a step back & think abt how they're affecting the younger generation. I mean, yeah, showin off skills is all well & good, but when it gets 2 be like this Harlem Globetrotters thing 
. You gotta wonder what goes through that 20-something-year-old head of theirs... is it just about bragging rights or are they really trying to learn from each other? 
It's like, what's the fun in beating them up for a laugh? 
. I've seen some crazy moves on the pitch before and they're all part of the game. It's not like he was out there roughing up someone for real 
?
. We should be supporting each other, not trying to one-up each other on the pitch 
, maybe they can teach some of these pro footballers a thing or two about humility 
it's not all about having fun on the pitch, it's about learning and growing as a player. and yeah 180 out of 1.5 million is just crazy 
I love seeing all these talented young players out there giving it their all on the pitch! 
It's amazing to see how far they've come and how much dedication they have, even when faced with setbacks and disappointments. 
), but let's be real, it's all part of the game! 
Some of these kids are basically superheroes on the pitch, and I am SO here for it!!! 
. I mean, sure, it's cool to see a pro show off their skills, but can't they just keep it on the pitch? 
And yeah, stats are crazy - 180 out of 1.5 million will make it to the Premier League? That's super tough 
. i feel 4 kevar march-mc-kenzie tho he's all about believing in himself & never givin up 
. and u r right we should b cheering on those talented young players fighting their way up the ranks 