Messi is the all-time top scorer in La Liga nowFootball inspires. It induces passion, motivation and unity. Arguably the greatest spectacle on earth, our preoccupation with the sport lies somewhere between fanaticism and extremism.For many, the game carries the single beacon of light that guides them through the struggles of life. No matter how difficult your week has been, there is always that game at the weekend you were looking forward to.Essentially, for ninety minutes, football provides an escape from the struggles and hardships one encounters in life. Seems like a very short period of time but it leaves an enduring impression on an individual for the rest of the week.The players have become our role models and their lives our inspiration. Of course, modern day football has its fair share of ‘bad’ role models but contrary to popular opinion, it numbers are negligible.As we celebrate our passion for the great sport, we look at five former and current professionals whose integrity, commitment and nobility has helped change the lives of many.
#5 Andres Iniesta
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The 2010 FIFA World Cup was just around the corner and FC Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta could not believe he made it into the Airbus 340/600 that would take the Spanish national team to Johannesburg, South Africa.
The diminutive man had suffered a thigh injury 13 months before the World Cup and it relapsed on four separate occasions over the course of the season. A guaranteed starter for any team on the planet, Iniesta played just 30 minutes of football in the final third of Barcelona’s season. Evidently, he was extremely lucky to be on that plane.
Seated next two Victor Valdes, he rummaged through his carry bag to find a DVD that quite possibly changed the landscape of world football. It was a motivational video that showcased the defeats of Spaniards on the world stage and their subsequent comeback to win them in spectacular fashion.
Pumped up and inspired, Iniesta whose confidence was in tatters before getting on that plane, helped La Roja reach the final where he scored the only goal against the Netherlands to gift Spain their first ever World Cup.
It was not only inspiring, it was invigorating.
#4 Paul Scholes
“When it's over I just want to be able to look in the mirror and say, 'Well, you were a half-decent player.'” That quite accurately sums up Manchester United legend Paul Scholes. An introverted, taciturn personality who epitomised the spirit of United and everything that is good about the beautiful game
Scholes learned his trade five miles north of Manchester City centre on the green spaces of Langley Estate before Brian Kidd spotted his genius with the ball and brought him to United to nurture his talent.
Scholes featured for an incredible 718 times for United scoring 155 goals over the course of twenty seasons. A one-club man, Scholes was once presented with a blank cheque by former Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti in an attempt to change his loyalties. Scholes did not exactly decline the offer but told Moratti that he would have to buy the club if ever wants to see him play for him.
The ginger prince, as he is fondly called, never had an agent in his entire professional career nor has he ever been involved in any kind of controversy, an almost abstract story in modern day football.
#3 Didier Drogba
Former Chelsea forward Didier Drogba enjoys a demigod status in his home country of Ivory Coast, and rightfully so. To paraphrase the man himself, when he left the country, the streets were lovely, there was greenery everywhere and the people were happy.
Upon his return he saw his country transmuted into a war zone between different factions, there was political unrest beyond imagination and a civil war beyond comprehension.
After the Ivory Coast qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Drogba made a personal plea to President Laurent Gbagbo and the entire populace of the country to lay down their arms. The request was greeted with ceasefire after five years of civil war.
Drogba’s does an extensive amount of charity work through the Didier Drogba Foundation in Africa for which he has been awarded the Barclays Spirit of the Game Award.
A warrior on the pitch and a saviour off it, Drogba might just go down as one of the nicest human beings in the world of football.
#2 Miroslav Klose
German striker Miroslav Klose is the top goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history. Aside from his heroics with the national team, Klose is widely regarded as the most honest man in football.
Playing for Werder Bremen in a Bundesliga tie against Bielefeld back in 2005, Klose produced a very touching act of professionalism. Bremen were awarded a penalty after the Bielefeld goalkeeper appeared to have fouled the Lazio centre forward inside the d-box.
Klose walked to the referee explaining to him that the goalkeeper was first to reach the ball making the official revert his decision. A spectacular act of sportsmanship, Klose earned many plaudits for this by fellow players and media alike.
On September 12th, Klose’s club Lazio were up against Napoli in the Italian Serie A. Five minutes into the game, Lazio took the lead after an inviting corner ended up at the back of the net. Miroslav Klose produced another unselfish and inspired act by raising his hands and explaining to the referee that he used his hands to score the goal.
The lead was cancelled and Lazio lost 3-0. But there were no regrets for Klose.
“For me, that was the obvious thing to do. There are so many young people who sit in front of the television, that we should set a good example,” he said. Football’s most classy man for all intents and purposes.
#1 Lionel Messi
It is never easy to be arguably the best player on the planet and at the same time maintain a quiet and reserved lifestyle off the pitch.
No stranger to adversity, Messi had a difficult upbringing in Rosario, Argentina. He was just 11 years old when it was discovered that he had a growth hormone deficiency. Every night, he would stick a needle into his legs for a period of three years. With the treatment costing $1,500 a month, far exceeding the figure his poor family could afford.
Football came to his rescue. Newell’s Old Boys picked up the tiny little lad for their youth teams and paid part of the money covering his treatments. Messi’s father Jorge confessed that the money was still not enough and had Newell’s paid the full amount, his son might never have seen the shore of Barcelona, at least not until he was old enough.
At the age of 13, Barcelona, already enticed by the boy’s ridiculous talent, offered to pay every penny for his recovery. Messi had to make a decision that would affect the entire family. And when he did, it changed the landscape and dynamics of football.
Nearly sixteen years since the family relocated to Catalonia, Messi is regarded by many as the greatest player in football history.
