The Waiting Game: Patience, Hard Work, and Staying Ready for Your Moment

Five months. That’s how long I had to wait to officially be cleared to play football in Portugal. Five months of training, watching games from the stands, and putting in the work without knowing exactly when I’d get my chance. It was frustrating at times, but looking back, it was one of the best lessons I could have learned—patience, persistence, and believing in myself even when things weren’t happening as fast as I wanted.

The FIFA Approval Process: Hurry Up and Wait

When I moved from Canada to Portugal to join Estoril Praia’s Elite Academy, I knew there would be paperwork involved. FIFA has strict rules about international transfers, especially for young players, and since I wasn’t an EU citizen, my process was even more complicated. Every document had to be reviewed—my residency, my education plan, and my football history. Every paper had to be submitted, checked, and rechecked.

I was training every day, working as if I was about to play my first match, but I wasn’t allowed to step onto the field for an official game. That was tough. Watching my teammates compete while I was stuck on the sidelines wasn’t easy, and there were days when it felt like this process would never end. But I had two choices—either let frustration take over or use this time to get better.

The Importance of Routine: Staying Ready for Your Moment

Football isn’t just about what happens on match day. It’s about everything you do leading up to it—every training session, every meal, every recovery session, every small decision you make. But what happens when you’re not playing? When you’re injured, not in the coach’s plans, or, like in my case, waiting for FIFA approval to come through? That’s when routine becomes everything.

When you’re in a situation where you can’t play, it’s easy to lose focus. You might start questioning yourself, feeling frustrated, or even losing motivation. But the truth is, these moments define you as a player. If you wait until you’re allowed to play to start working hard, you’re already behind. The key is to have a routine that keeps you improving every single day so that when your opportunity comes, you don’t just take it—you dominate it.

For me, during those five months of waiting, my routine was my anchor. I couldn’t control the FIFA approval process, but I could control my work ethic, my mindset, and my preparation. I knew that when my chance finally came, I needed to be stronger, faster, and sharper than when I first arrived.

Building a Strong Daily Routine

If you’re in a situation where you’re waiting for your chance—whether because of an injury, a coaching decision, or paperwork delays—you need to structure your day in a way that pushes you forward. Here’s how I approached it:

• Train Like You’re Playing Tomorrow
  Even though I wasn’t playing in games, I trained every day like I was about to step onto the pitch for a final. I didn’t take shortcuts. I focused on improving my weaknesses and sharpening my strengths. Every session was a chance to get better.
  
  

• Strength & Conditioning Work
  Without games, I had more time to focus on my physical development. I worked on my explosiveness, speed, and strength. If I wanted to compete at a higher level, I needed to make sure I was physically ready when my moment came.
  
  

• Recovery & Nutrition
  It’s not just about training hard; it’s about training smart. I made sure I was eating properly, getting enough sleep, and focusing on recovery. If you treat your body like a pro, it will perform like one when the time comes.
  
  

• Studying the Game
  Just because you’re not playing doesn’t mean you can’t learn. I watched my teammates, studied game footage, and paid attention to the tactical side of football. When you finally step on the field, your understanding of the game can give you an edge over players who don’t put in this extra work.
  
  

• Mental Toughness & Mindset Training
  Waiting is mentally draining, but I refused to let frustration take over. Instead of thinking, Why is this happening to me?, I focused on How can I use this time to become a better footballer? Every morning, I reminded myself why I was here and what I was working toward.
  
  

The Moment Finally Came

Then, after months of waiting, I finally got the message: FIFA approved my transfer. I was officially cleared to play. All the training, all the hard work, all the patience—it was worth it.

Stepping onto the pitch for my first game as an official Estoril Praia player felt unreal. Five months of waiting disappeared the moment the ball was at my feet. I was finally where I wanted to be, and now it was time to make the most of it.

The Biggest Lesson: Trust the Process

Football teaches you a lot, but one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you can’t control everything. There will be obstacles—paperwork, injuries, setbacks—but what you can control is your attitude, your effort, and your belief in yourself.

Every day is a chance to improve. No matter what situation you’re in, keep working. Stay ready. Stay positive. Because when your moment comes, you want to be the player who steps in and makes an immediate impact.

Football rewards those who stay ready. Make sure you’re one of them.