— The words my parents said when I was on the bench still give me strength today —
“Why isn't my child getting to play again?”
“He's always on the B team, and he looks like he's struggling.”
“He's working so hard, but nobody recognizes it.”
To any parent who has ever felt this way:
I'm writing this article as someone who used to be a substitute, drawing on experiences I still haven't forgotten.
In elementary school, I played in matches.
I wore number 10 and was vice-captain.
I played with the year above me.
I scored goals, and there were days when people treated me like a hero.
But as I moved on to junior high and high school, reality grew harsher.
I wasn't called up to the first team. Most of my time was spent on the B team or on the bench.
In high school, I arrived at school before anyone else every morning and kept training on my own.
“Maybe today I'll finally get to play.”
I kept putting in the work with that hope in my heart,
but day after day, my name was missing from the team sheet.
And honestly, there were times when my parents scolded me over football.
In the car with my teammates, or during a match,
“Speak up more!”
They would criticize my play and tell me to do this or that.
Of course, I knew they were supporting me.
But I was already trying as hard as I could in my own way,
and on some days those words really hurt.
Still, there are other words that have stayed with me even now.
“You're a late bloomer, just like me. You'll be all right.”
“Keep going, and you'll become an incredible player.”
Even when I wasn't getting results, even when I couldn't get a game,
those words helped me get back on my feet again and again.
And now—
I didn't have any outstanding achievements in high school,
but I passed the trials for my university's football team.
Now I'm competing in university football alongside some of the best players in the country.
Players selected for national training centers, players who appeared in the national high school championship, graduates of J.League youth academies…
Among players like those,
the boy who used to be on the B team is standing on the same pitch.
And now, I'm also—
Giving everything I have to my dream of becoming a professional footballer overseas.
I'm not a “success story” yet.
But the reason I've made it this far
is that I had parents who believed in me.
So, to the mothers and fathers reading this:
Please believe in your child.
It doesn't matter if they're “not good enough” or “only a substitute.”
Children
can move forward because someone believes in them.
“I see you.”
“I know how hard you're working.”
I believe those simple words can help a child move forward
more than any coaching or advice.
🔻 To parents
I wrote this article from the perspective of the child who couldn't get a game.
As one young person who is still chasing his dream,
these are words I deeply wanted to share with children struggling with football, and with their parents.
I hope this reaches you.
Late bloomers can still bloom.
And having someone who believes in you can keep you from breaking.