Every footballer has that season. The one where nothing seems to click. But is it failure or the beginning of reinvention? In this episode of Ball & Live, Lamar Aaron talks about three conversations every baller needs to hear:

⚽ Phil Foden’s Reinvention – After a season of criticism, Phil Foden showed in the Manchester Derby why sometimes a “down year” is actually the season that shapes your growth. We unpack how every player eventually faces a moment where they must evolve, mature, and unlock the next version of themselves.

💡 Xavi Simons’ Discipline – From Barça to PSG, PSV and now the Premier League, his journey shows what true discipline looks like. Unlike most “wonderkids,” he started at the top, competing against legends like Iniesta, Busquets and Xavi himself. His story proves that discipline isn’t just about when things are good or bad; it’s about the middle, when nothing seems to be happening. That’s where careers are built.

🔥 The Great Lock-In - Right now, we’re at a crucial point in the football calendar. The next 3 months will shape careers: academy players waiting on scholarship decisions, pros in their final contract year, players eyeing moves in the January transfer window, and international tournaments like AFCON and the World Cup. This is the time to lock in, get disciplined, and set the habits that can change your life.

This isn’t about fan takes, media noise or pundit hot takes. It’s about the player’s perspective — the mindset, lessons and truths that help footballers build lasting careers.

🎙️ Ball & Live is where football conversations turn into life lessons for ballers, athletes and everyday people.

👉Grab our Footballer’s Guide Book Here: https://tr.ee/3-Lqkau37h

#football #footballer #footballmindset #academyfootball #youngfootballers #footballtraining #profootballjourney

Is Player Power Taking Over Football? ⚡ On this episode of Ball & Live, Lamar Aaron breaks down the rise of player power and what it means for the future of footballers.

From Alexander Isak pushing for a move to Liverpool to Marc Guehi missing out on his dream transfer, we look at how players are taking control of their careers and the risks that come with it. Are players right to force moves? Or should professionalism always come first?

We also dive into the conversation of footballers switching national teams. With stars like Hugo Ekitike choosing Cameroon before receiving a France call-up, we ask: what goes into these decisions, and how do they shape a player’s career?

Whether you’re a professional footballer, aspiring pro, or an athlete, this episode gives you the real talk on how the game is changing and what you can learn from it.

⚡ What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why player power is shaping modern football
The difference between Isak’s approach vs. Guehi’s professionalism
How switching national teams impacts careers and opportunities
What every aspiring footballer should understand about contracts & control

🎙️ Ball & Live is where football conversations turn into life lessons for ballers, athletes and everyday people.

👉 Ready to build your own path in football? Grab our Footballer’s Guide Book and start creating your blueprint today: https://tr.ee/3-Lqkau37h

#footballer #isak #marcguehi #football #premierleague  #footballmindset #academyfootball #youngfootballers #footballtraining

Not every footballer makes it at 16. Some, like Tijjani Reijnders, build their career step by step — from AZ Alkmaar to AC Milan, and now to Manchester City. On this episode of Ball & Live, we break down what aspiring footballers can learn from his journey.

We also dive into the situation with Alexander Isak at Newcastle, how player power is shaping football, and why signing long contracts can sometimes limit your career options.

And in our brand new segment, Free Game, Lamar Aaron shares why this is the season for young ballers to make their mark. With the rise of Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha in pre-season, we talk about how you can use opportunities, step up when it matters, and turn talent into career momentum.

👉 Ready to build your own path in football? Grab our Footballer’s Guide Book and start creating your blueprint today: https://tr.ee/3-Lqkau37h

⚡ What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why Tijjani Reijnders’ story is proof you don’t need to peak at 16 to make it pro
• Isak & the truth about long contracts and how they affect your career path
• How player power is changing football and what it means for young footballers
• Why 2025/26 is a season where young talents can rise fast if they’re ready
• How to prepare mentally and physically to take your chance when it comes

There’s no shortcut to greatness.
On this episode of Ball & Live, Lamar Aaron breaks down what it really takes to become a professional footballer — and why every aspiring player needs to start building their own blueprint to the top.

From Cole Palmer’s rise from Manchester City to Chelsea and becoming a world champion… to Noni Madueke’s move to Arsenal… to the mentality behind Viktor Gyökeres' signature celebration — this episode explores the mindsets, stories, and sacrifices that define elite players.

Lamar also unpacks what the 10,000-hour rule looks like in the modern game, from training, gym, and recovery, to nutrition, focus, and off-pitch habits.

Whether you're in an academy, grinding in non-league, or dreaming from the cage, this is the episode that tells you how to start thinking and acting like a pro today.

If you're serious about making it as a footballer, this is the mindset episode you can’t skip.
Tap in. Learn the game. Build your blueprint.

DOWNLOAD YOUR FOOBALLERS GUIDE HERE: https://tr.ee/3-Lqkau37h

Do you need a Top football academy to make it as a pro footballer? Lamar Aaron gets into this conversation on episode 2, and why he says you don't. After being released from West Ham United's Academy, he brings back his football knowledge to the young academy footballers, semi-pro footballers, and other footballers who feel they need a top-level academy or club to make it.

We dive into:

• When Lamar Aaron Got Released 
• How to be discovered in football
• Other real pathways to becoming a footballer, like Non-League, Low-League Academies abroad and more
• How to stay motivated after being released

And more....

If you are good enough, you do not need an Academy!

In the first episode of Ball & Live, hosted by former West Ham academy player Lamar Aaron, we’re breaking down one of the biggest myths in football: that being a flashy, technical baller is all you need to make it.

We dive into:

• The difference between a baller and a footballer
• Why some of the most skilled players never get signed
• How Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) evolved his game to break through
• The mindset, discipline, and decisions that separate the dreamers from the professionals

If you're an academy player, an aspiring pro, or a parent trying to support your child’s journey, this episode is packed with real insight you won't hear anywhere else.

Follow the show, share it, and let’s build a community that’s ready to ball... and live.