If you’re doing anything worthwhile, haters are inevitable. So how do you deal with them? Before diving in, let me introduce myself. My name is Alan Deriard. I’m a full-time football agent and the co-founder of Elite Football, Australia’s largest player agency.
I’ve helped hundreds of players with representation, working with over 25 professional clubs across Europe, South America, and the UAE. Now, let’s tackle the issue of handling haters and criticism.
The Root of Criticism in Football
Dealing with haters, handling criticism, fear of failure, and FOMO—they’re all interconnected. I’ve noticed these struggles with nearly every player I work with, especially those aged 14 to 19. For those who struggle, it often stems from an insecurity. This isn’t inherently bad. Many successful people have insecurities and use them as fuel to drive their success.
However, when you’re younger, other people’s opinions—whether from parents, friends, or even strangers—carry a lot of weight. These opinions can affect your subconscious and prevent you from moving forward. Many people live their lives dictated by external opinions, and those individuals often end up the most disappointed and unhappy.
Overcoming the Fear of Failure
When it comes to dealing with haters, criticism can take many forms. It could come from parents, friends at school, or even peers judging your life choices. For instance, I’ve seen footballers who don’t want me to post their highlights on social media because they fear what others might think. They don’t want to appear as though they’re putting themselves out there, trying to achieve something.
This reluctance to be seen is often driven by a fear of failure. But here’s the thing—you should never let failure, or worse, the fear of it, dictate your actions. I get it. Footballers—and everyone in the football industry—have egos. Players, agents, managers, coaches, and even staff members all carry inflated egos because most of us were once footballers ourselves.
That ego can make you afraid of looking foolish or failing publicly.
Many players hesitate to tell people they’re going overseas for trials because they’ve seen friends try and fail. It’s part of the journey, though. And let me be clear: I’m not going to tell you the cliché, “People who criticise you are just jealous.” Maybe they are, maybe they’re not.
It’s irrelevant. The real lesson is that the most beautiful part of any journey is the struggle. The naysayers, the criticism, and the adversity—they’re what fuel your growth.
When I was building my agency, I used every negative comment and every doubt as motivation. People laughed at me for posting on social media early on, but I turned that anger into drive. Many successful people have done the same. If you’re a male, this idea might resonate more deeply, but it applies to everyone. Using adversity as fuel can propel you forward.
As I’ve matured, my fuel source has changed. I no longer rely on negativity or criticism to drive me. When you get older, you stop caring so much about other people’s opinions because you realise that no one is paying as much attention to you as you think.
People are consumed with their own lives. This realisation frees you to focus on your goals without fear of judgment.
To achieve something as challenging as becoming a professional football player, you have to go all in. You can’t half-commit. That means putting yourself out there, posting your highlights, and being unafraid to showcase your efforts. If you’re not willing to invest in yourself and push through the obstacles, it won’t happen.
I recall a member of the royal family in the UAE giving me business advice. He told me, “I was never afraid to go broke, which is why I got rich.” Applying this to football, if you’re not willing to take risks, endure criticism, and keep pushing forward, you’ll never make it.
It’s the players with the resilience to face adversity who succeed in the long run.
I never became the professional footballer I dreamed of being. But building my agency has allowed me to look back with pride. Some of the same people who criticised me early on are now applying to work with me.
That turnaround is incredibly satisfying. Not everyone will come out on top, but if you play the long game, focus on constant improvement, and never stop moving forward, success is possible.
So, to anyone reading this, embrace the journey. Use the struggle, the haters, and the criticism as fuel to keep going. Commit fully to your goals, and don’t let fear hold you back.
If you’re serious about improving your chances of going pro, consider working with Elite Football. With a proven track record and strong connections to 25+ professional clubs, we’re here to help you defy the odds and take your game to the next level.
We’re here to help you avoid these mistakes and guide you on your journey to a professional career.
Book your FREE consultation here 👉: https://www.elitefootball.com.au/booking-calendar/free-consultation?referral=service_list_widget
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