As a retired soccer player, if there is one thing I wish I could tell my former teammates, it would be this: play every game like it’s your last.

We athletes take our game for granted far too often. We complain about practice, give up on a ball or just slack off every once in awhile. I know this because I did it all too. Now that I can no longer play a sport I love, I watch with all the longing in the world to suit up again. All I want now, is to see my friends out on the field giving all of their effort, so when their time comes to hang up the cleats, they can walk away knowing they gave everything they had.

Play every game like it’s your last, because you never know it when it could be your last. One day, you will never put your jersey on again. It could be from a major injury, sickness, graduation or a conflict of schedule, but whatever the reason is, your career will end someday.

I think we all know in the back of our mind that one day, we’ll have to be done with our sport. More often than not, though, we don’t fully grasp this fact until our last game is over and we realize we’re done forever.

I urge you to savor every moment before that day comes, because when it does, you will miss your sport. You will think about it every day. You will torture yourself with thoughts of how you wish you could have just played that one ball differently, or pushed that much harder for those last few minutes. You will remember all the memories, laughs and bonds you shared with your beloved teammates, and you will attempt to mentally recreate your moments of glory. You will look back nostalgically on every single thing you love about the game, and you will wish you could go back and do it all again.

Fortunately, you still have time. Use it wisely. You may be tired in the middle of the game, but keep on pushing so you can go home knowing you played your best. Seize every opportunity so you can rest at night knowing that you gave your team the best of you. Don’t ever stop talking or hustling so you can look back on the games and feel proud of yourself.

Celebrate every good play and don't be afraid to go crazy when someone scores. When you make a bad play, please don’t waste a single minute of your precious time stuck in negative thoughts. Move on, and go play your heart out. Regret nothing, and take every chance.

One day will be the last day that you ever suit up. Before that day comes, please make sure that you play your heart out during each game. Do this for the sake you and your team. If you give it your all every game, then whenever your last game comes, you will at least be able to smile and say, “Well, at least I gave it everything I’ve got.”