Success in anything is the direct result of hard work. Hence the very popular statement, "Hard work is the key to success." We must see hard work as an obligation. It must be a part of the seekers of success, so much that they cannot do without it.
As we admire and celebrate our favorite artists, movie stars, and sports men and women etc, we must understand that their feat came about through hard work and great discipline. Also, the fact that hard work can lead to mastery in whatever discipline we have chosen cannot be ignored.
As a soccer fan, I am particularly intrigued by the career of the Real Madrid and former Manchester United attacker, the Portuguese, Cristiano Ronaldo.
When Cristiano Ronaldo joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon, in the summer of 2003, he was young, at just 17 years old, but with great potential. At that age the world could see he was very good and very talented. Before he left Manchester united to join Real Madrid six seasons later in the summer of 2009, he was already a super star. He had dominated the English Premier league. In his last three seasons playing for Manchester United, he won player of the English Premier league season twice, and scored an average of 22 league goals for Manchester United. He also won the English premier league golden boot in the 2007/08 season, scoring 31 league goals in the process. His first world player of the year, FIFA Balon D'Or, and European footballer of the year, was won in 2008 during his last season with Manchester united.
Sir Alex Ferguson, the great Manchester United Manager who won 35 major career trophies, including 13 English premier league titles and 2 UEFA Champions league titles with Manchester United spoke very highly of Cristiano Ronaldo, in his book 'LEADING'. He described him as a man with good self discipline, and a great desire to be the best. With hard work and great commitment Cristiano Ronaldo has been able to his consistency. He has been the shinning light in the Real Madrid team since his arrival. He has won many individual honors, including five times FIFA Ballon D'Or, in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017 respectively. He has also won the European footballer of the year, in the years 2008, 2014, 2016, and 2017.
Cristiano Ronaldo's talents cannot be denied. It has played a big part in his success story. But we know that there are some other footballers who exhibited abundance of talents, but have faded due to a major lack of self-discipline and loss of their desire to work hard to fulfill their potential.
The benefits of hard work and discipline is sewn into the football playing career of Cristiano Ronaldo. His individual success highlights this.
