Tushar Tolani, a professional athlete with a relentless passion for soccer, hails from an Indian background but was born in Atlanta, Georgia. His dedication to the sport has been a lifelong journey, characterized by unwavering commitment and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. Tushar’s story is one of perseverance, sacrifice, and a deep love for the game that has shaped his life and career.
From a young age, Tushar knew that soccer was his calling. At just ten years old, he decided to dedicate his life to becoming a professional footballer, a path less traveled in his community, where most individuals pursue careers in medicine, IT, or business. This decision set him on a rigorous training regime inspired by the “10,000-hour rule” from Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers. By age 11, Tushar was training 20 hours a week, often waking up at 5:30 am to practice in his basement before school and attending academy sessions in the evenings.
Tushar’s dedication was not without its challenges. Sacrificing sleep to train meant he often dozed off in class, and his grades in subjects like Biology suffered. Despite this, Tushar’s focus never wavered. His basement became a training ground where he meticulously replicated Neymar’s skills, watching himself in the mirror to perfect each move. His mother, though initially supportive of his academic pursuits, eventually recognized Tushar’s unwavering commitment to soccer.
At 15, Tushar’s talent and hard work earned him an opportunity to train at an academy in Barcelona. The experience during the COVID-19 pandemic further honed his skills, leading to a 50% scholarship and a transformative period at FC Malaga City Academy in Spain. This period significantly enhanced his technical and tactical abilities, setting the stage for his future career.
In 2022, Tushar became one of the youngest players in the UPSL Premier GA and the youngest player in the POTROS UPSL squad. His skills and dedication led him to a trial with Fuenlabrada in Madrid, where he was accepted. The culmination of his hard work came in December 2023, when he signed his first professional contract with a club in the UAE 3rd division.
Tushar’s journey is a testament to the power of discipline and consistency. He believes that the key to his success lies in his daily commitment to improvement, striving to get 1% better every day. This mindset has helped him overcome challenges and stand out among his peers. His technical prowess, creativity with the ball, and ability to excel in one-on-one situations are his greatest assets, reminiscent of his idol, Neymar.
Now, at 19, Tushar has just completed his first professional season and is preparing for the next phase of his career. He plans to continue building his name and resume in the Middle East before moving on to Europe’s top leagues. His ultimate goal is to impact the “Indian sports world” and inspire young athletes to pursue their dreams, regardless of societal expectations or obstacles.
Through his story, Tushar aims to highlight the importance of perseverance, dedication, and the pursuit of passion. He wants to encourage young athletes, especially those from similar backgrounds, to fight for their dreams and remain disciplined in their efforts. Tushar’s journey is not just about soccer; it’s about breaking barriers, challenging norms, and showing that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
As he continues to train and prepare for future seasons, Tushar also dedicates time to coaching other serious players, sharing his knowledge and experience to help them achieve their goals.
Tushar added his own advice for other younger players by saying, “Keep training and working towards your goals every single day. Sometimes you might feel tired and discouraged or are going through something at home but that’s the time you need to double down and go harder. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how you feel but you need to do things that give you pressure and pain now but lead to success later.”
His story is one of inspiration, showing that with the right mindset and relentless effort, dreams can become a reality.
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