RONLDO, are going through a physical & mental depression that is
attracting the criticism of the media & fans. Rightly or wrongly,
these two figures of World & Spanish Football are privileged
sportsmen that earn huge amounts of money that are way beyond
the reach of 99% of humanity & are not immune of criticism. Their
talents & goals rip out of the hearts of all spectator passions that
are beyond rational & logic, which creates a “boomerang effect”
that brings them back anxiety, frustration, doubts & stress when
things do not go as planned, when the spectator stops feeling the
passion.
Many suspect that LEO MESSI has entered into a low form dive that
is worrying & that may have short to mid term psychological
implications on the player. His performance for Argentina in their
“must win matches” not only was non-existent but his team lost both
to Brazil (1-3) & Paraguay (1-0) putting them now 5th on their
South American table with the real risk of missing out on the
South African World Cup 2010. How much of this is Messi´s fault?
Many would argue the blame is National Coach Diego Maradona
who does not know how to motivate the Argentine Team & doesn´t
where to tactically place Messi on the field. That being the case,
some observers recall that the true “Historical Great Players” (Pele,
Maradona, Cruyff…etc) become legends precisely when things got
tough & took the responsibility onto themselves to take a “mediocre”
side onto victory single handily onto glory. The "old school"
mentioned commentators thus conclude that Messi has still
“a ways to go” & maybe “chocking” under extreme pressure. They
raise the question: Does Messi really deserve to be awarded
“World Best Player” if his team Argentina does not participate
in the South African World Cup? Spanish media go on further with
this question: Should´nt Xavi Hernandez be most suited to be given
this years “FIFA World Player”? Xavi has won the same as Messi
& goes beyond the Argentine because he has been fundamental
in securing Spain a place in next years World Cup. Food for
thought!
Perhaps this is all too strong a criticism for such a young man
who maybe just psychically & mentally tired with so much
“unbalanced” pressure & exaggerated expectations on his
shoulders. The best thing that can happen is for Messi to return
to the FC BARCELONA environment with his team mates & his
supporting Coach Guardiola to find “North” again, regain the
lost form & his confidence. All that is needed is a good match
with some goals & everything will be forgotten.
The “National Team” factor is also playing its part on another young
giant of World Football, REAL MADRID star signing CRISTIANO
RONALDO finds himself in a very similar situation both sporting wise
& with his National side Portugal. With the real threat of Portugal
missing next years World Cup, Portuguese media & supporters have
ruthlessly criticised the player for not being up to the level
expected from a 94M€ man. It’s a heavy tag that can cause legs to
buckle for anyone, even more with someone who is called onto
by destiny to enter the Olympus of World Football History.In the
Ronaldo case, there are added factors like the adaptation to his
new team REAL MADRID, his new Coach Pellegrini, his new team
mates, new style of Football, new City like Madrid & being 24 hours
under the spy-glass from media. These are big reasons to dent
the armour or rip the mind with doubts for any 24 year old human.
Real Madrid are aware of all this & remind the “World” that
Zidane took 4 months to adapt himself to Real Madrid before he
marvelled the World & showed who he was on the field.
Perhaps Ronaldo should be rested on the bench this weekend – for
good logic & sporting reasons; but will he accept the substitution?
Will the pressure, stress & arrow at the ego unleash the “Bad
Cristiano” Ronaldo he has inside him with boyish & uneducated
manners ( remember he threw a towel at Ferguson for being
substituted) & unlock dressing room problems that may have mid
to long term consequences at the Club? Close aids comment that
Roanldo is anxious to prove to Spanish media & crowds why they
paid 94M€ for him, & return to claim the “Best Player in The
World” crown. This anxiety is affecting his play, rushing instead
of waiting, over doing things instead of constant work, looking
for goals in spectacular fashion instead of just helping the side
to victory. His is missing PATIENCE.
Whatever the answers maybe to the many questions that everyone
is asking of these two Football talents, SFS is confident that their
professionalism, their inbreed (DNA) urge to win at everything &
their sporting pride will eventually get them out of their personal
slumps. It is worth mentioning that every “Sporting God” has lived
his/her career with up & down cycles: this is normal. What is
unrealistic is for someone to maintain themselves during a 15 year
career at Nº1 always; it is like winning the FIFA World Player Award
15 years in a row. Forget it, it’s impossible, a sportsman has other
things in their life, it’s called their personal life, with unpredictable
events occurring daily which enter & affect your sporting life
– both players are humans.
What differentiates the great players from the average is their
spirit of coming back better than before, their mental strength to
rebuild their path after it has deviated, their unstoppable drive
to overcome adversity. At FC Barcelona Messi has GUARDIOLA as an
example & guide to follow, at REAL MADRID Cristiano Roanldo has
his Captain RAUL GONZALEZ to follow as the latter’s career has
been “killed off ” Football wise by media & fans for the last 5 years,
& Raul just shuts everyone’s month with goals & via leading from
example game after game.
It’s interesting how the destinies of Messi & Ronaldo have entered
parallel paths. Tweet
