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Football at the highest level is not just a physical sport. Mental toughness goes a long way towards determining who comes out on top. The fact of the matter is that at the highest level, there is little margin for error. All players are technically refined and good at what they do.
But unless they learn to apply themselves in the hardest of circumstances, it will be difficult for them to be victorious. Half the battle is fought in the head. When a team concedes a goal or a player misses a penalty, it is natural to feel low and disappointed.
But what makes a great player is the strength to hold his head up and fight back against the odds. That's why some of the greatest footballers of all time are also big personalities. They are the kind of individuals who can inspire those around them and put their nose to the grindstone and keep on going.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five players who have the greatest mental strength in football right now.
#5 Giorgio Chiellini - Italy/Juventus
Giorgio Chiellini is 37-years-old but he is still one of the best centre-backs in the world right now. The Juventus veteran is a stalwart in defence and most recently played a starring role in Italy's Euro 2020 triumph.
Detractors have argued multiple times that Chiellini is washed up and that the Bianconeri and the Azzurri need to find new long-term solutions in defence. But Chiellini seems to not be bothered by all the noise and even at the age of 37, he is committed to giving his all for his side.
He is a perfect example of a player who has shown great character in the face of adversity. Chiellini has 112 caps for the Italian national side, making him the sixth-highest appearance maker for the Azzurri.
Chiellini shares a wonderful centre-back partnership with Leonardo Bonucci. The duo weren't dribbled past even once at Euro 2020. That's right. They went up against some of the greatest attackers in the world and dominated them as Italy secured continental glory.
#4 Romelu Lukaku - Belgium/Chelsea
Romelu Lukaku has had to encounter some harsh criticism throughout his career. The big Belgian striker first broke onto the scene with Anderlecht. Over the course of two seasons, an 18-year-old Lukaku scored 41 goals and provided 18 assists in 92 appearances across all competitions for the Belgian club.
Chelsea then signed him for £17 million in 2011. He failed to score a single goal in 16 appearances for the Blues and was subsequently loaned out to West Brom after being tagged a flop.
But Lukaku was a big hit for the Baggies as he scored 17 goals and provided seven assists in 38 appearances for the club in the 2012-13 season. He went to Everton on loan for the 2013-14 season before joining the Toffees permanently in the 2014-15 season.
It is at Everton that Lukaku burgeoned into one of the best strikers in the Premier League. He scored 87 goals and provided 29 assists in 166 appearances across all competitions for Everton. Manchester United then signed him for £75 million.
It is during his time at Old Trafford that Lukaku received his harshest reviews. He was dismissed as being 'overweight' and his loose first-touch was regularly ridiculed. Lukaku still scored 42 goals and provided 13 assists in 96 appearances for the Red Devils.
But Manchester United were on a downward slope under Jose Mourinho and it was a poor environment for Lukaku to try to prove himself in. The Belgian international secured a switch to Inter Milan in 2019. Over the course of two seasons in Italy, he proved that he is one of the best strikers in the world.
Lukaku was Inter Milan's best player as they won the Serie A title for the first time in 11 years. He scored 64 goals and provided 16 assists for Inter Milan in 95 appearances across all competitions.
Lukaku now has a chance to silence all his critics as he has been signed once again by Chelsea. The Belgian international cost them €115 million but has kicked off his new stint at the club with a goal in his first game against Arsenal.
#3 Jordan Henderson - England/Liverpool
People are finally starting to put some respect on Jordan Henderson's name. The Liverpool captain has been on the receiving end of far too much unwarranted criticism in the past. He is not a footballer who is very easy on the eye but Henderson has become a vital cog for Liverpool in recent times.
The central midfielder is an intelligent footballer with great tactical intelligence and spatial awareness. He complements those qualities with his hard work and tenacity. Hendo is also a leader of men and while he is on the pitch, Liverpool's energy levels hardly ever drop.
It wasn't long back that Henderson was written off as a squad player. But he put his head down and became Liverpool's captain. In the 2018-19 season, he led from the front as Liverpool won the Champions League title.
In the subsequent season, he again played a starring role as the Merseysiders won the league title for the first time in the Premier League era.
#2 Jorginho - Italy/Che
Newsflash for those who have been living under a rock. This is Jorginho's summer. The midfield metronome of both Chelsea and the Italian national side, Jorginho, is fresh off winning the UEFA Men's Player of the Year.
After arriving at Chelsea in 2018 under Maurizio Sarri, Jorginho was constantly criticized. Detractors said he's too weak to play a holding role in midfield. They proffered the argument that he was slow in possession and that Sarri rates him highly only because he was a good player for Napoli.
Jorginho won the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup with Chelsea this summer. In between those triumphs, he won the Euro 2020 with Italy and was a standout performer for Roberto Mancini's side. He dispensed his playmaking and defensive duties in midfield with aplomb in all competitions this past season.
Jorginho is also letting his critics have it. In an interview with The Players' Tribune, he said:
"We all remember what they were saying, right? I was too slow. I was too weak. I was Sarri’s son. Man, it made me so angry. But listen, they underestimated me.
"I just used the criticism as fuel. I was thinking, These people are going to be embarrassed. And now I’m sitting here with a Europa League title and a Champions League title. So to all the critics, I just want to say one thing.
"Thank you. Really, thank you all."
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal/Manchester United
Has there been another footballer in the history of the sport who has had as much of a flair for the dramatic as Cristiano Ronaldo has? He put it on display in midweek as Portugal hosted the Republic of Ireland in a World Cup qualifier.
Ronaldo, tied with Iran's Ali Daei for most number of goals scored in men's international football, lined up to take a penalty in the 9th minute. He had the perfect chance to break the record and go clear of Daei but he missed from the spot.
The Republic of Ireland then took the lead through John Egan's flicked header in the 45th minute. Just when it looked like the Irish had it wrapped up, Ronaldo scored two goals in the 89th and 96th minutes to hand Portugal the win.
The Portuguese international has shown us throughout his career that he is inevitable. That no matter how many people write him off, he will have his moment. It has been a career replete with such incredible individual moments.
Ronaldo has silenced his critics in the most dramatic fashion multiple times. During an El Clasico in the 2016-17 La Liga season Lionel Messi held his shirt up to the Santiago Bernabeu faithful after scoring the winning goal. Ronaldo responded in kind in front of Barcelona fans after scoring the winning goal in the Spanish Super Cup at the start of the 2017-18 season.
Ronaldo's career after hitting 30 years of age is a collection of moments where he has consistently silenced his critics. He has single-handedly orchestrated several awe-inspiring comebacks for Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Every time he's written off, he comes back stronger. Despite being 36-years-old, the Manchester United man continues to be one of the best players in the world.
