Dominik Szoboszlai’s father, Zsolt, a former professional footballer, was instrumental in launching his son’s career by establishing a football academy and subjecting Dominik to intense training to prepare him for elite competition.

Reports indicate that Zsolt used unconventional training techniques, such as making Dominik hold a golf ball during practice to prevent shirt pulling, encouraging him to develop more technical solutions for regaining possession.

A source close to the Szoboszlai family revealed that Zsolt used another distinct strategy to shape Dominik’s future as a footballer—he had him wear boots slightly smaller than his actual size during his youth.

This method may have influenced Dominik’s physical development, as he stands over 6 feet tall but wears a UK size 7 boot. In Hungary, there’s an old belief that smaller feet can make one a better footballer because they allow for more precise strikes on the ball.

“It’s a tip, a football hack, so to speak,” the source explains. “With large feet, it’s difficult to shoot the ball perfectly unless you’re a player like Ibrahimovic. To strike the ball well, you need long legs and smaller feet, which is why Dominik’s father was so strict with him when he was younger. Just look at him now.”

Whether smaller feet truly enhance football skills remains uncertain, but the Liverpool midfielder undoubtedly has a powerful shot.