In an English Premiership soccer tilt this past December, powerhouse Manchester United was in full control of a game against a lesser opponent.
With a 3-0 lead, emerging star Carlo Tevez had scored twice already in the contest.
Fairly late in the contest, United was awarded a penalty kick. Cristiano Ronaldo prepared to handle the shot, as he is the player designated by Coach Sir Alex Ferguson to take such opportunities.
When Tevez quietly approached Ronaldo, the team’s “superstar”, to ask if he could take the kick to complete his “hat trick”, Ronaldo reportedly said “no”.
Ego and self-interest have always been a huge part of sport. In fact, many would argue that those are “qualities” that top athletes need, along with self-confidence, to ensure their success at the highest levels.
But Ronaldo’s response was a flawed one, nonetheless.
It is understandable that a proud athlete like Ronaldo would want to take that kick, as that is one of his designated jobs with United.
Perhaps he said “no” to his own teammate, Tevez, and later regretted it, though this is unlikely given Ronaldo’s history.
It could also happen that a player would let Tevez, or any other teammate, take his place in such a situation, and do the “right” thing publicly, but privately be unhappy about it.
This response would be quite human.
But the true leader, the real “team player”, would take it upon himself to give the opportunity to a teammate. He wouldn’t wait to be asked.
It could be argued that Tevez was being selfish, too, by even making that request; that he was putting his own personal glory ahead of his team.
But an athlete with class would not even have to be asked. He would have gone over to Tevez and insisted his young teammate take the shot.
That it didn’t happen is not a surprise. Just disappointing, and yet another poor example for young athletes around the globe.
