From Canada to Portugal
The Major Differences Between Football Training in North America and Europe
By Carson Riddall-Jeffs, 16-year-old footballer on my European journey
Even though I had this goal to live & play in Europe, I can’t believe I’m actually here doing it. I’m training with some of the best young footballers in Portugal, living in a new country, and playing football twice a day. But here I am—far from the turf fields of Canada, training in a professional academy, and experiencing first-hand the major differences between football in North America and Europe.
This journey hasn’t been easy. Leaving behind my girlfriend, friends, family, and everything familiar was hard. But I have had a goal to make it as far as I can and play at the highest level I can make. This means I’ve had to challenge myself in the best environment possible to develop my skills as a player. And now, after months of training in Portugal, I can say for sure that playing football in Europe is an entirely different world.
Here are the biggest differences I’ve noticed since making the leap from Canada to Europe
1. Training Frequency – From 3 Sessions a Week to 10+ Sessions a Week
Back in Canada, my typical week looked like this:
Two or three team training sessions a week
One game on the weekend.
Extra work on my own (if I had access to space, decent weather, and the motivation to push myself).
This is a very normal schedule in North America. Some high schools allow high-level athletes a school schedule that allows for more athletic training during regular school hours. I did this in grade 10 at my high school and it allowed me extra training time that would have been difficult to get otherwise.
Here’s what I’ve experienced so far in Portugal:
At Estoril Praia, my training schedule is completely different. I train twice a day, five days a week. We have a morning field session at 8am with 2-3 gym sessions a week after. Then we meet back at the club at 4pm for our afternoon session. That means I’m getting at least 10 structured training sessions a week—plus some matches.
Morning sessions: More team-based, tactical work, fitness, and match scenarios. 2-3 days we have gym sessions as well.
Afternoon sessions: Focus on technical work, individual skill development, and position-specific training.
I think the biggest difference for me has been Time on the ball.
In Canada, I simply had less guided training time to get touches. Here, I’m on the ball every single day, working on my technique, speed of play, and decision-making with trained coaches. In just a few months, I’ve seen massive improvements.
2. The Intensity and Tactical Focus in Europe
Football in Europe isn’t just about running drills and playing games—it’s about understanding the game at a much deeper level.
In Canada, training sessions were intense, but the focus was more about playing hard rather than playing smart. The emphasis was often on physicality, athleticism, and effort, rather than tactical understanding.
In Portugal, it’s different. Here, every single drill, training session, and match has a purpose.
Tactical discipline is everything. I’m learning how to move off the ball, read the game, and make the right decisions in high-pressure situations.
Speed of play is much faster. In Canada, you might get a second or two to control the ball, look up, and make a pass. In Portugal, if you take too long, you’ve already lost possession. The game moves fast.
Positioning and awareness matter more than just skill. You can be the most technically gifted player, but if you don’t know where to be at the right time, you will struggle.
Every day, I’m being pushed to think faster, move smarter, and execute with precision—things I never truly experienced in Canada.
3. Playing Against Older, Stronger, and Faster Players
One of the biggest game-changers for me in Portugal is playing against older players on a regular basis.
In Canada, I played against kids my own age most of the time. Sure, there were a few instances where I’d play up an age group, but overall, I was comfortable. But here:
I’ve been thrown into training sessions with players one, two, even three years older than me.
I’ve had to adapt to faster decision-making, more physicality, and a much higher level of technical ability.
Every session, I’m fighting harder
4. Football Culture: A Lifestyle, Not Just a Sport
In Canada, football is growing, but it’s still not the number one sport.
In Portugal, football is life.
The mentality is different. A lot of kids here dream of being a professional. If that’s your goal, it’s a big commitment and you have a lot of competition
5. The Pathway to Professional Football is Clearer
In Canada, the path to professional football is uncertain. Many players aim for a college or university scholarship, which is great, but it’s not always the best route for those who want to play at the highest level.
In Europe, the pathway is much clearer.
If you’re good enough, you get noticed early.
You can move up through youth academy systems that feed into professional clubs.
You don’t have to wait until you’re 18+ to get a shot—many top European clubs sign young players at 16, 17, or even younger.
That’s the difference. Here, I feel like I’m in a system designed to help players reach their full potential.
Final Thoughts: Why Europe is a Game-Changer
Making the move from Canada to Portugal was one of the biggest decisions of my life—but it was also the best decision I’ve ever made.
It’s not easy. There are tough days, moments of doubt, and challenges that push me to my limits. But that’s exactly why I’m here. If I want to become the best version of myself as a footballer, I need to be in an environment that forces me to grow every single day.
And I’m just getting started.
Carson