Becoming a pro footballer wasn't part of the plan - Sylvain Distin

It takes full commitment to be a professional footballer . Yes, some players dip in and dip out. But, to have a sustained career involves many qualities. Sylvain Distin played nearly 500 games in the Premier League. You’d think it resulted from being bred for the route to the top—Heres where the football journey takes a surprising twist.

Football for Distin something he liked. He wasn’t hellbent on becoming a pro. His heroes, stars of the NBA, as opposed to Ligue 1 like his friends in France. His focus wasn’t as it should be. Perhaps down to him looking around and seeing, what he thought far more talented players than he.

I just liked the sport in general but I never thought I would be a professional

Ex-Manchester City & Everton defender - Sylvain Distin to football4football

That said, there exactly cradling a ball in his crib. Distin didn’t get involved in playing football until 13. In today’s pressure pot of ‘ELITE’ academies, that’s a veteran.

Pro academies came and went. His only attempt saw him get released. Life went on. He played locally in the French equivalent of non-league nowhere near as developed of professional as it is in England.

Part-time

Playing for a small regional team, life was normal. Football wasn’t the top of his priority list. At 20, football meant working at the amateur club he played for at weekends. Coach the local kids, office duties and do chores about the place, Sylvain was happy.

A team of veterans just playing for fun and fitness his colleagues. Living a normal life as any young twenty-something meant a ‘normal’ social life. Without a club nutritionist checking alcohol levels got by. Even training twice a week in the evening when the squad had finished their 9-5 jobs was easy.

I’m not going to lie, we all enjoy life like everybody else. You finish a game and you’re 20 or 25, you can go out

Ex-Manchester City & Everton defender - Sylvain Distin to football4football

Over time, Distin’s natural athletic capacity developed. In a mediocre team, he stood out more and more. Eventually, he caught the eye of a full-time professional club. Gueugon, a small team in the winemaking Burgundy region of France, his new destination. Confirmation of his ability was now there. The focus, drive and professional attitude would propel him now.

Not quite. The thing is, there can be a problem with players jumping too many leagues. Some will argue this is where the benefits of going to academies help. An opportunity like this is what many a young player in France, or anywhere in the world would love. The offer of a full-time 2-year contract. Well, let’s say, Distin’s PRO MODE hadn’t kicked in.

Mentality

What he did at 13 made Monaco sign him on the spot

Without being conditioned on a pro lifestyle, his attitude became indifferent. Training sessions just filled his week. Matches, well, they were just something done when no training took place. Top pros have to treat every session as windows to better themselves. Games are where you confirm the preparation and drive to achieve.

The big-time

Distin didn’t quite have that in place as yet. That said, what happened next defied football logic. After only one season in the French 2nd tier, one of the glamour clubs of world football made a move for him. Sylvain was off to Paris Saint Germain. Shortly joined by Brazilian prodigy, Ronadinhio! Within a short space of time, the chilled out defender had gone from cleaning his kit to marking Andrei Shevchenko of AC Milan at the San Siro.

Before time, the option to hone his game England. A loan move to Newcastle in the Premier League came up. So, in 3 years he had incredibly gone to the most prestigious football arena in the world. Still not knowing what it took to be a footballer and if he wanted to do it. What Distin would achieve is a massive credit to a re-focus and mind shift.