Your friend is a much higher level than you. You will go up a level every season as long as you finish in the top 7 and you'll find that quite easy to start with.
As for never buying tokens that's up to you but there are plenty of ways to get them for free but you need spare time to farm them from sites like Tapjoy.
I would aim to have an entire squad of 4 star and above by the end of season 2, but don!'to waste money if you have some older players who are due to retire. There will be plenty of rubbish teams you can play them against.
Basically it just takes time. You won't face anyone with Q of 50 for several seasons yet.


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