How Does a Professional Soccer Player Spend a Workday?

The Morning Routine

The workday of a professional soccer player starts the moment she wakes up. Although workout routines differ for every player, most start their day by running five to 10 miles. Following their morning run, players need a healthy breakfast suited to meet the nutritional needs of their day. As with most athletes, professional soccer players need the bulk of their carbohydrates and fats in the morning, so a large breakfast is not uncommon. Following breakfast, a professional soccer player usually meets with the rest of the team to practice together.

Professional soccer players meet with their team for skills practice and workouts almost every day. After a quick warm-up, the players work on skills specific to their position or scrimmage against one another, simulating the game experience. As part of the practice, the team's head coach and coaching staff meet with players for one-on-one training. Physical practice is broken up with less intense skill-building activities, like watching tapes of their past games or learning about upcoming rivals on the field.

If the team has a game, the players may need to do some traveling to play at an "away" field. Depending on the distance, travel might take many hours. If the game is at home, the players will meet in the locker room to dress, stretch and otherwise get ready for the game. They have a guest locker room when they travel. The game itself starts with warming up, then there may be opening ceremonies or other special events, depending on the game. After playing, the team will return to the locker room to shower, and then they'll either travel home as a team or leave individually if the game was at their home stadium. Some teams like to celebrate together after a game.

An important part of the workday for some players is dealing with the press. On game days and surrounding other important events, top professional soccer players give speeches, talk at events, and answer questions at press conferences. Many professional soccer players have publicists to deal with the media at other points.

In order to be a better soccer player and get more playing time or a higher salary, many professional players have an individual evening workout that they do on their own time. This may include lifting weights, more running, or skills practice. Players may also see their doctors in the evening to talk about the progression of injuries. Sleep is important for players, so their workday ends by going to bed at a reasonable hour in order to get eight hours of sleep every night.