life is bigger than football … / talent is no longer enough

the news comes that adriano is leaving football.  again.

there is a dark side to the continued growth of football.  the pressure to get to the top … the pressure to stay there.  talent is no longer enough.  the mental strength now needed to succeed in this competitive, pressurised environment means that we will see fewer players stay at the top for long periods of time.  ronaldhino is a case in point.

but life is bigger than football.  if adriano can`t be happy playing in italy then he is doing the right thing going home.  if the best thing for him is to never kick a ball again.  so be it.