Tell us a little about yourself as a soccer player.

I play as a midfielder and started playing football when I was four years old. I started because I enjoyed the game, but over time it became something I wanted to take seriously and improve at as much as possible.

What is the biggest mental challenge you’ve faced as a soccer player?

My biggest mental challenge has been dealing with self-doubt after poor performances or mistakes. Sometimes I overthink what went wrong, which can affect my confidence.

How do you deal with pressure, mistakes, or losing confidence?

I try to focus on the next action instead of thinking about the mistake I just made. During difficult periods, I focus on things I can control, such as training well, working on weaknesses, and staying focused.

How have your coaches, teammates, or family affected your mental health and confidence?

Coaches have helped me when they give honest feedback on what went wrong. Support from friends and people close to me has also helped me remember that one bad performance does not define me as a player.

What have you learned about mental health and performance?

I have learned that confidence has a huge effect on how I play. When I feel mentally good, I make quicker and better decisions, ask for the ball more, and play more creatively instead of being afraid of mistakes. I think this is very important for everyone.

What advice would you give another young athlete who is struggling mentally?

I would tell them to speak to someone they trust instead of keeping everything to themselves. If you can’t do that, I suggest heading to a pitch to train with a friend or even alone.