If You’re Good Enough, You Don’t Need A Premier League Football Academy | Ball & Live EP2

Do you really need a top football academy to become a professional footballer?

In this episode of Ball & Live, Lamar Aaron (ex-West Ham Academy player) breaks down how to get into a football academy but also why you don’t need a top-tier football academy to make it as a pro footballer in 2025 — and what matters more if you’re serious about becoming a footballer.

After being released from a Premier League academy, Lamar shares insights and truths that every academy player, unsigned baller, and football parent needs to hear. This isn’t about hype — this is about real football pathways, the mindset required, and how to make moves when the academy door closes.

We have heard Jamie Vardy, Crystal Palace’s Eze and other football players stories. Kevin De Bruyne started in Genk and made it to the Premier League, Riyad Mahrez, Kante, Cunha, Virgil Van Dijk and more footballers made it from lower league clubs and many players like Noni Madueke, Jeremie Frimpong and more went abroad.

We talk:
– Why a top football academy isn’t the only way to make it
– What to do if you’ve been released from an academy
– How players go pro through non-league football
– What football scouts and clubs actually look for
– Alternative pathways into professional football
– How to get into a football academy

If you’re good enough, you will be found — with or without an academy badge.

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