Inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo: Young Indian Footballers Share Their Views
Rahan Ahmed's Admiration for Ronaldo
Youngsters in a football field
Guwahati, June 25: For Rahan Ahmed, a forward for India Under-17, Cristiano Ronaldo transcends the status of a mere football icon; he is a source of inspiration.
The young player from Sivasagar admires the Portuguese legend's commitment to maintaining peak physical fitness and his unwavering discipline, even at 41 years old, which serves as a lesson for aspiring footballers.
“I aspire to emulate his career,” Rahan expressed after witnessing Ronaldo score twice in a match against Uzbekistan. While he also looks up to Erling Haaland, Ronaldo remains his primary role model.
Rahan's sentiments resonate with numerous young athletes in Assam and beyond. The ongoing debate about who is superior, Lionel Messi or Ronaldo, often overlooks the perspectives of budding players.
For many, the allure of Ronaldo extends beyond his impressive statistics and accolades; it is deeply rooted in his personal journey.
Fans appreciate Messi for his artistic flair and effortless brilliance, while Ronaldo is often viewed as a symbol of hard work, discipline, and continuous self-improvement.
Young footballers may feel they lack Messi's innate talent, but they believe they can emulate Ronaldo's work ethic and dedication to fitness.
Ashish Chetry, recently selected for the India Under-20 national team camp, finds motivation in Ronaldo's example. The 17-year-old from Udalguri often watches Ronaldo's videos before games to uplift his spirits.
“Ronaldo's relentless attitude inspires me to strive for excellence,” Ashish remarked.
Divia Tanti, a defender from Betkuchi High School in Guwahati, which won the Subroto Cup last year, also draws inspiration from Ronaldo's life story.
“I admire Ronaldo for overcoming numerous challenges to achieve global stardom. His journey motivates us,” said Divia, who is from Paneri in Udalguri district.
Sports mental conditioning coach and NLP psychotherapist Tribenee Bhattacharyya emphasizes the significant impact role models have on young athletes.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is a figure many young athletes look up to. His work ethic, discipline, and lifestyle showcased on social media captivate the youth,” she noted.
“Ronaldo's rise from humble beginnings resonates with many underprivileged children, inspiring them to believe that hard work can lead to success,” she added.
Tribenee also highlighted the importance of role models in shaping an athlete's character, mindset, and emotional strength, while cautioning against mere imitation.
“Each person's journey is distinct. Young athletes should take inspiration from their idols but focus on developing their own identities,” she advised.
As the FIFA World Cup stirs excitement, discussions about football's two modern legends, Messi and Ronaldo, have reignited.
For many fans, Messi epitomizes skill, creativity, and humility.
“Messi is a true superstar. Despite his achievements, he remains grounded and lets his performance speak for itself,” remarked sports administrator Kaustab Chakraborty.