Is There a Perfect Age to Turn Pro in Soccer?

There is a famous saying that "if you're good enough, then you are old enough." But to what extent should we buy into this statement?

A developing teenager, going pro is one of the most 'touch n go' moves that any professional team could ever make when recruiting. Paying a young kid who hasn't had his 21st birthday- millions of dollars could go either way. From my observation, usually the wrong way. When you actually think about it, who can blame these youngsters for mismanaging their finances. Your 20s are considered the years that one is allowed to f##k up right? Apart from that, a large percentage of athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds tend to to have the worst spending habits. It's a psychological behavior that if you had nothing and came from nothing, financial literacy is the last thought on your mind. In that case, young athletes need to be equipped to understand and comprehend the responsibility that comes with turning into a professional athlete. They need to understand that they are no longer living a normal teenager's life. From the outside looking in, we often blame pro teams for lacking sufficient structures that assist young players, such as educational tools for financial literacy. Rightly so, teams should be organizing seminars on financial literacy that will educate young sportsmen/women on their rosters.

An important question that no one asks is when agents should become accountable for some of their client's reckless spending. When becoming an agent, you're not only negotiating your client's playing contract. You are also making a commitment to being an advisor, confidant and possibly a close friend too. Part of being a good friend is to not be a 'yes man'. You have to tell it like it is, even if your client resents you for it. Trust me he/she will thank you in the long run.

Upon concluding lucrative deals such playing contracts or endorsement agreements, an agent's duty is to encourage his/her client to consult a financial advisor or simply go the extra mile of setting it up for them. In the end, what's best for the young athlete will always be the number one goal. Youngsters turning professional at 18 is a great thing! It let's us know as the football/soccer world, that the future of the sport remains brighter than ever! Give the 'young guns' a go and yes, they should be paid what they're worth and not a penny less. It should just be done with a bit of caution and education involved.

-By: Khangelani Zila Mbekela

Sports Agent & Writer