The Psychology of Football
Welcome to The Psychology of Football, a publication dedicated to exploring the psychological challenges faced by top football clubs and players—and the mental tools needed to overcome them.
I’m Paul George Johansson, a licensed psychologist who works closely with football clubs and athletes every week. My daily work involves helping incredibly talented football players become even better and supporting clubs in maximizing the potential of their players.
Leaders, players, and expert commentators often emphasize the importance of the “mental” aspect in sports as a crucial factor for success. However, what frequently follows this observation is a simplified explanation, often boiled down to an athlete needing to “believe in it” and “do the work.”
I dare to claim that while these ideas hold some truth, ‘believe in it’ and ‘do the work’ rarely translate into concrete results or actionable steps. How many coaches, sporting directors, and experts have puzzled over why players like Antonio Cassano, Adriano, Paul Pogba, Mario Balotelli, Ricardo Quaresma, Royston Drenthe, Ravel Morrison, Gaël Kakuta, and Freddy Adu didn’t “do the work”? Some of these footballers are widely recognized, while others have faded into a more anonymous existence, but they all share a common issue: they failed to meet the expectations their talent once promised.
Antonio Cassano & Mario Balotelli. Two extraordinary football players who didn’t reach as far as their talent once suggested.
The discrepancy between these players’ raw talent and their final outcomes is striking. Their stagnation is well-documented, making it particularly notable, but every club has players with potential who fall far short of the expectations placed upon them. This gap between expectation and reality is a constant source of frustration for coaches, sporting directors, and fans alike.
So, how much of this is a psychological issue? How can a player address their psychological challenges and make the leap from being a highly skilled elite athlete to becoming significantly better? What steps can a club take to maximize the chances of unlocking a player’s full potential while minimizing the risk of setbacks?
These are the questions that form the foundation of this publication.
A new article will be published every two weeks here on Substack. Whether you’re curious about the mental side of football or work for a club facing these challenges, I invite you to subscribe and join the conversation.
Paul George Johansson
Licensed Psychologist
