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Want your child to be the next Mbappé? A personal trainer reveals what actually matters

Want your child to be the next Mbappé? A personal trainer reveals what actually matters

Think more training means a better footballer? An expert reveals what children really need at every age, and the mistake parents should avoid.

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Ruairidh Pritchard

Published: October 13, 2026 at 10:30 AM

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If your child dreams of becoming the next Kylian Mbappé, you might assume that more football practice, extra coaching and a packed training schedule will give them the best possible start. But according to one expert, pushing too hard could actually be counterproductive.

With football remaining hugely popular among children in England, it's understandable that parents and grandparents want to give young players every opportunity to succeed. But how much training is too much? And at what age should children start taking their sporting ambitions seriously?

Personal trainer Lee Mitchell, who has partnered with SeatPin, has revealed the age-by-age habits that can help young footballers develop their potential. And his advice might surprise parents who believe that getting ahead means training harder.

Ages 6 to 9: Forget intensive training and let them play

If your six-year-old is already talking about playing in the Premier League, there's no need to rush into specialist coaching or intensive fitness sessions.

At this age, Mitchell recommends focusing on having fun and developing fundamental movement skills, including running, jumping, balancing and coordination.

Football naturally helps children practise these skills, but encouraging them to try swimming, cycling or other sports can be beneficial too.

The priority should be building confidence, developing a love of physical activity and enjoying the game, rather than preparing for a professional career.

Ages 10 to 12: The habits that matter more than extra training

As children get older, it's tempting to fill their calendars with additional football sessions, particularly if they're showing promise.

However, Mitchell warns that this is precisely when parents should start paying attention to what happens away from the pitch.

He recommends introducing some simple habits:

Practising basic bodyweight exercises with the correct technique.
Developing good sleep routines.
Drinking enough water throughout the day.
Eating a varied, balanced diet rather than relying on supplements.
Incorporating mobility exercises and movement activities.
Making sure children have regular rest days.

And if you're wondering whether your child should be training every evening, Mitchell has an important warning.

The biggest mistake parents can make is thinking every spare hour needs to be spent training. Recovery is part of development too. A young player who is constantly tired isn't going to get the most out of their training or matches.

Lee Mitchell, personal trainer

Ages 13 to 15: Why comparing your child with other players can backfire

The early teenage years bring significant physical changes, but children don't all develop at the same rate.

Mitchell explains that this is when more structured strength and conditioning exercises can gradually be introduced, provided the emphasis remains on proper technique and supervision rather than lifting heavy weights.

Exercises that develop leg, core and upper-body strength, alongside sprinting and jumping, can help teenagers build the physical foundations needed for football.

However, parents should avoid comparing their teenager's physical abilities with those of their teammates.

A child who develops strength or speed later than their peers isn't necessarily falling behind. Technical ability, creativity, decision-making and game awareness all play important roles in football.

Development isn't a race, and every young player will progress at their own pace.

Lee Mitchell, personal trainer

Ages 16 and over: It's time to train smarter, not harder

For older teenagers with serious footballing ambitions, training can become more tailored to their individual strengths, position and playing style.

This might involve developing acceleration, explosive power, strength, mobility and the ability to perform repeated sprints.

But understanding why they're training is just as important as the exercises themselves.

Good nutrition, sufficient sleep, hydration and recovery become increasingly important as training intensifies.

The warning signs your child might be doing too much

Whatever their age, young footballers need time to recover, particularly when they're juggling school, training sessions and weekend matches.

Mitchell encourages parents to watch for warning signs that their child might need more rest, including:

Persistent tiredness.
Changes in mood.
Recurring aches or pain.
A noticeable drop in sporting performance.

He also advises against investing in specialist nutrition products or supplements unnecessarily. For most young players, a balanced diet containing carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, fruit and vegetables, alongside adequate hydration, provides the foundation they need.

Persistent pain or concerning symptoms should also be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional.

What if your child never becomes a professional footballer?

With elite players such as Mbappé providing inspiration, it's natural for children to dream big. However, Mitchell reminds parents that professional footballers have specialist teams managing their training, nutrition and recovery.

Trying to replicate an elite athlete's routine isn't necessarily appropriate for a developing child.

And perhaps the most reassuring advice for parents and grandparents is that professional success shouldn't be the only measure of achievement.

Learning to cope with setbacks, building confidence and developing a healthy relationship with exercise can benefit children long after their footballing ambitions change.

Not every talented young footballer is going to become a professional, and that's an important message for parents to remember.

Lee Mitchell, personal trainer

Instead, Mitchell encourages parents to focus on helping their children build a positive relationship with sport, develop confidence and learn to look after their bodies.

After all, whether your child makes it to the Premier League or simply enjoys a weekend kickabout with friends, the healthy habits they develop now could benefit them for years to come.

Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.