Football, beyond being a game of strategy, athleticism, and passion, often serves as a powerful metaphor for life itself. In our new series, "More Than They Believe," we delve deep into the world of football to uncover the profound lessons it offers, extending far beyond the pitch. From the triumphs of victory to the trials of defeat, each article will explore how the beautiful game mirrors the complexities of existence and imparts invaluable wisdom for navigating life's challenges.
"There are other priorities in his life," justified one of the journalists with these words. What happens with the French star Karim Benzema fluctuates in his performance. Sometimes he appears as Ronaldo phenomenon, and sometimes he appears as an ordinary player who doesn't deserve to represent France or Real Madrid.
On the other hand, the former personal driver of Lionel Messi narrated about the Argentine player saying, "He only knows football, he doesn't know how to talk about any other subject."
Mahatma Gandhi said, "Actions express priorities," and I add to his saying, "Results depend on actions, and thus priorities appear in the results." The more important it is to you... the results appear for you!
I can't accept the excuse of a student who watches TV for two hours on the night of a crucial exam, then says he's "exhausted or couldn't focus more than that," and I can't be convinced by an employee who always comes late to work, yet is keen on every minute outside work, double what he cares about inside it, then claims he loves his job.
Look at yourself... review your actions... and examine the results of what you've achieved so far... then you will know well your ladder of priorities!
First step Toward Failure
In February of 2009, Danny Welbeck scored a goal for Manchester United against Derby County, and he celebrated in an extravagant manner, revealing arrogance and conceit. At that time, he was 18 years old.
His coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, rejected this behavior and punished him by relegating him to the reserve team. A close source to Ferguson stated: "The Scottish coach considered arrogance as the first step in destroying a person's career."
Many have veered off course when arrogance struck them; either their training regressed, they belittled their opponents, or their actions caused those facing them to exert twice their abilities, breaking their "haughty ego" against their adversaries.
Jupp Derwall, the coach of West Germany in the 1982 World Cup, said before facing Algeria: "If we lose, I will return to Germany on the first train to Munich." He admitted later, after the humiliating defeat, that he had received a video about the Algerian players but hid it from the team because they would mock him if he asked them to study the secrets of what they considered an easy opponent.
Arrogance ended with an Algerian victory that shattered the German prestige in that tournament... it became a timeless example in sports of the danger of pride!
There are many events and historical details that reveal heroes brought down by arrogance with a fatal blow. The career of the champion, Nassim Hamid, was short-lived, like Mario Balotelli's, once seen as a star; some interpret this as them being arrogant in the ring, and their supporters were disappointed. In the history of sports, there are hundreds who fell into this trap.
The wise learn from others, so we must be vigilant and control that ticking time bomb planted in every person; the haughty ego, before we receive the fatal blow while we are unaware!