Congratulations to Cristiano Ronaldo on achieving another landmark in his illustrious career; FIFA WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2014.
When you look at the players he beat to it: Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuhrer, and the year he has won it; a World Cup year, without taking his own country Portugal past the group stages, then this is a truly outstanding achievement.
Had Lionel Messi won the World Cup with Argentina, maybe we might be crowning a different champion; outright top goalscorer in the history of the Champions League with 75 goals, Liga’s all-time top goalscorer with 253 goals, Barcelona’s record all time record top scorer with 371 goals.
But when you consider the 29-year-old Real Madrid golden player scored a remarkable 61 goals in the calendar year, a record 17 goals in last season’s Champions League and has already netted a phenomenal 26 goals in 16 La Liga games this season, helping Real win the coveted La-Decimal, their much sought after 10th Champions Cup, the Uefa Uefa Super Cup, the Copa Del Rey and the World club Cup, then the winner is Cristiano Ronaldo!
Playing one season at Sporting Lisbon before Alex Ferguson signed him for Manchester United a year earlier than planned (Due to rumours of interest from other European clubs) Ronaldo’s rise to fame is an example of how talent can be harnessed through extraordinary hard work and persistence.
When asked what his best goal was, he said “My next goal is always the best one I look forward to” He is already looking to the next one.
What if Ferguson didn’t sign him for Manchester United?
What if he didn’t leave for Real Madrid when he did?
What if Messi was not around to compete with?
Many questions but few answers, but one thing is certain, Ronaldo’s rise to fame is a statement for any aspiring professional footballer, or young player, that hard work, is a prerequisite for greatness, and a supplement to talent.
Congratulations Cristiano Ronaldo.
Would Africa ever be able to harness such potential?
Would Africa even be able to recognise such talent when one appears?
Is the football structure in Africa able to produce such phenomenal talent?
Germany, Brazil, Italy, Spain, France, Argentina, and Portugal have produced multiple winners in the past.
20 years ago exactly, a certain African won the world player of the year award.
George Opong Weah took the world by storm and the western world thought that Africa had arrived. But as swift as Africa emerged, it also disappeared from the scene, never to produce another winner since.
Whether it is the management structure, systems or the scouting of talent, Africa has faltered again and again.
Whatever the case, congratulations to Cristiano Ronaldo.