02/08/2025
I’m starting to think one of the reasons Messi and Ronaldo reached the heights they did is because they kept their personal lives simple — committed to one woman early and stayed focused.
Imagine building a legendary career, only to throw it all away over a moment with an Instagram model. That’s the reality for many of today’s footballers.
Messi and Ronaldo came up in an era defined by structure and discipline. They were coached by managers who acted like strict father figures. Sir Alex Ferguson once kicked a boot at Beckham’s face for talking back. Senior players like Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, and Paul Scholes constantly stayed on Ronaldo’s case — on and off the pitch. You couldn’t afford to slip up.
And while both Messi and Ronaldo stayed relatively scandal-free, it wasn’t always smooth. Especially for Ronaldo — early in his career, he faced a serious r**e allegation that could have derailed everything. But he learned fast, tightened the loose ends, and kept his head down from then on. That awareness and self-discipline made a huge difference.
Today’s players, on the other hand, are growing up in a more relaxed environment. Managers have lost that father-figure authority. Hansi Flick wouldn’t dare confront Yamal about his personal life. Xabi Alonso can’t discipline Mbappé for his off-field choices.
That’s the real difference: Messi and Ronaldo were not only gifted — they were disciplined. Surrounded by structure, driven by focus, and protected by strong management. You rarely saw their names in scandals or tabloid drama.
Many of today’s young stars? Careless, distracted, and surrounded by yes-men. And the results speak for themselves.
