Liverpool legend Luis Garcia says nurturing and mentoring players from a young age is important for their football development.

While conducting a football clinic at Lenana School over the weekend, featuring Diamond Football Club and Acakoro Football Academy, Garcia said: “It is important to nurture players at a young age. This will encourage them to be global football stars. It is a technique that has been used all over the world.”

Garcia is in a tour of the country as he promotes the 20th edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon scheduled for December 3.

“I was looking forward to being a part of this activation. It’s always a pleasure to give back to the community and help inspire young talents. Playing with these kids today reminds me of when I was a kid, dreaming of becoming a football player... all those ups and downs,” Garcia said.

The football legend also mentored the teens and advised them on what it takes to be world-beaters.

He emphasised on the importance of discipline, hard work, and resilience.

“Resilience is needed in every single game and in training too. That’s why the young players need to keep up with that kind of mentality. Hard work is non-negotiable, when you go on the field, you have to be 100 percent because the way you train is the way you’re going to play,” he noted.

“You have to be disciplined if you want to be a professional football player and maintain that level. You need to learn from when you are a kid that it’s not easy and it’s not granted. You have to continue working hard every single dayGarcia started his career at the FC Barcelona academy at the age of 17 before later moving to Real Valladolid. He said his resilience and never-give-up attitude enabled him to move up in his career by joining Atletico Madrid for a short stint before rejoining his childhood club Barcelona and finally making a move to the Premier League with Liverpool.

He was signed by Spanish tactician Rafael Benítez in 2004 and lasted three seasons, raking in 77 appearances for the Reds and amassing 18 goals. He won an FA Cup, an FA Community Shield, a Uefa Super Cup and a Uefa Champions League title in 2005.

Meanwhile, Garcia said African coaches need to be trained and interact with coaches from different cultures.

“I understand the governments are always trying to help the youth by giving them the best facilities possible. They also need to help coaches to improve themselves, help them meet coaches from different cultures so they can learn too," he said.

After retirement, the 45-year-old has moved into punditry with various television networks including beIN Sports USA, TV3 Ireland and Sky Sports.

Diamond Football Club Director Sagar Lakhani said the clinic was crucial in helping the youth realise their potential and learn from Garcia on how they can be global stars.

 “The clinic will help the teens to realise their true football potential. By being guided by a renowned football star, they will be able to learn more about football and how they can be global stars," he said.