What you should know
There is more than formal education
There are various forms of education: degrees, diplomas, or skill development. All forms help players to develop and one is not necessarily better than another.
Benefits of study
Studying while playing professionally has many benefits for players, such as reducing the pressure of football, increasing preparedness for the transition into a post-playing career, and developing other identities.
It will not be easy to study while playing professional
An education takes time and effort and managing multiple demands is very challenging.
Player story
Martin Dobrotka: "I wanted to do more than just play football"
Martin Dobrotka has been a professional footballer for over 20 years. The two-time Slovakian league winner, now at Polish second-tier side Arka Gdynia, has a PhD in Political Science, and is a member of the supervisory board of player association Unia Futbalovych Profesionalov (UFP).