The relationship between career termination anxiety and hope level of academy football players

For children and young people around the globe, pursuing a career in football represents a cherished hope. The present study sought to examine the relationship between career termination anxiety and the level of hope of players in the academies of professional clubs in Türkiye. Additionally, the study aimed to identify any differences in these relationships according to a number of independent variables (n = 933; AgeMean = 15.58 ± 1.5). The study was conducted between September and October 2024. The fit of the data with the scales was tested with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Non-parametric tests were applied to analyze the data that did not show normal distribution. The findings indicated that academy players exhibited a moderate level of career termination anxiety (3.20 ± .59) and a high level of hope (6.57 ± .86). It was determined that various variable were effective factors on career termination anxiety and hope level. The present study revealed a negative correlation between fear of early career termination and hope level. Nearly all children and adolescents hope to become a professional football player. However, only a small percentage of them achieve this goal. Consequently, after the current study, it is imperative to identify the factors that trigger career termination anxiety in children engaged in football training at academies. This will enable the preservation of hope in some while preventing the negative consequences of anxiety in others.