A new year means a fresh start for soccer players to focus on improving their game! Now that 2026 is finally here, it’s time for everyone to kick off their New Year’s resolutions. Soccer players around the world will all be working towards brand new goals surrounding how they train, recover, and prepare both physically and mentally, heading into a new season. Whether you’re playing at an amateur or professional level of the game, this year is all about setting yourself up for success long term, instead of just focusing on quick wins. Keep reading for a list of the top soccer player resolutions for 2026 that will guide you towards having your best season yet!
2026 is the year where recovery should come first above everything else, instead of faster comebacks being the priority! Making time for the right recovery steps like stretching routines before training or matches, incorporating mobility work into your training, getting onto a good sleep schedule, or even adding more rest days to your calendar will kick start your recovery or help prevent injuries altogether. Even though it may seem like the answer is to always push harder, focusing on your health and well-being will always make you a stronger player in the long run!
Next up on our list of top soccer player resolutions is to focus on building endurance overweight training this year! It’s been proven that being strong in the gym doesn’t always mean you’ll be able to keep up on the field. Icons like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo swear by training routines that incorporate cardio exercises to help them run faster and longer. Exercises like sprinting, jogging, cycling, and HIIT will all improve your stamina and endurance on the field!
Another way to challenge yourself and improve your skills as a player is to commit to healthy eating year-round, not just when the season starts! Nutrition should be just as prioritized as training. It affects energy levels, your ability to recover quickly, and most importantly, your risk of getting injured!
When it comes to soccer, it’s just as much of a mental game as it is physical! The best of the best players stay confident under pressure and keep pushing through, even if things aren’t going their way. Another great resolution to work towards in 2026 is to strengthen your mental resilience so you can perform your best regardless of whether you’re winning or losing. A few ways to do this is by practicing visualization, positive self-talk and mindfulness!
If you search “How to get better at soccer”, you may be surprised that one of the top suggestions is to focus on only improving one skill at a time! Make 2026 the year you start training with intention, not just with the goal of improving your skills overall. Instead of just going through the motions in training, start by making a clear plan on what skill you want to focus on improving for each session like dribbling, passing, or shooting!
One resolution that’s guaranteed to make your team perform at the highest level is to work towards being a better teammate, not just a better player! A few ways to improve your relationship with your teammates are to use more communication during games or practice, offer support to anyone that needs it, and try to help others succeed rather than just helping yourself. Not only will you improve your team’s chemistry and trust, but you’ll also make the entire team better as a whole!
Finally, if you’re going to take away anything from this list, make 2026 the year you focus on being a better role model, both on and off the pitch! When it comes to being a professional athlete, you have a lot of people looking up to you, whether it’s teammates, fans, or other players. That’s why it's so important to lead by example and have a positive attitude towards sports and competition. A good role model will give respect to everyone, even the game itself, and will always inspire players to improve. Legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Alex Morgan are prime examples of what it means to be a good leader!
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