Millions of boys and girls around the world hang posters of Messi and Ronaldo on their walls. They repeat their celebrations after a goal. They ask their parents to buy boots "like Neymar's." A football player is more than an athlete. He is a hero. An icon. A role model. But should we always idolize those who kick the ball? And how can we distinguish a good example from a bad one? Let's figure out why football players become gods for millions and what responsibility this imposes.

Why a football player

In the world, there are thousands of professions. Scientists, doctors, pilots, astronauts. But why does a football player more often become a hero for children and teenagers? Firstly, football is the most popular game on the planet. It is watched, played, talked about. Secondly, a football player is a tangible success. He runs, scores, wins. This is understandable even to a five-year-old child. Thirdly, a football player's career looks like a fairy tale: a poor boy from the slums becomes a millionaire and a star. Fourthly, a football player is always on screen — advertisements, interviews, magazine covers. His image is widespread.

But the main thing is emotions. A football player brings joy to people, the bitterness of defeats, the triumph of victory. And this emotional connection is stronger than any rational argument.

The ideal hero: what he should be like

What kind of football player deserves to be a hero for the younger generation? Let's try to draw a portrait.

Firstly, talent and hard work. Football legends are not born, they become. Messi took growth hormone, Ronaldo stayed on the training ground after all. A hero should show that success is not only a gift from the gods but also sweat, blood, early mornings, and thousands of hours on the field.

Secondly, character. Respect for opponents, referees, fans. There is no place for dirty dives, simulations, provocations. Examples: Kaka, who never argued with referees. Miroslav Klose, who admitted to the referee that he scored with his hand and asked to cancel the goal. This is a real lesson in sports ethics.

Thirdly, integrity off the field. A hero does not cause scandals in nightclubs, does not drink, does not use doping, does not evade taxes, does not beat women. He helps children, builds hospitals, supports charitable foundations. Marcus Rashford achieved free meals for poor schoolchildren in England. Didier Drogba stopped the civil war in Ivory Coast by simply kneeling on the field. These are legendary deeds.

Fourthly, longevity. A hero is not a flash in the pan for one season. It is a player who maintains the level for 10-15 years. Someone you can imitate for years without being disappointed.

The flip side: heroes with rot

Unfortunately, not every football player deserves worship. The world knows stars who have acted despicably. Take Maradona, for example — a genius player, but a drug addict, associated with the mafia, involved in drunk driving accidents that killed people. He was loved, but is this an example to follow? Or modern football players who simulate injuries, fall from a light breeze, provoke referees. They teach boys that lying and pretending are normal.

Especially dangerous are cases of violence. Several stars of world football have been accused of beating their wives and girlfriends, domestic violence. And fans turned a blind eye: "He's a great player, why do we need to know about his personal life?". This is a trap. If we forgive crime for beautiful goals, we will spread the idea that success justifies any dirt.

How the role of a hero has changed from Pele to Mbappe

In the 1950s, Pele was a living god. He was spoken of as a saint. He did not drink, smoke, smile, win. His image was perfect for the Cold War: the capitalist West and the socialist East cheered for the king of football equally.

In the 1980s, Maradona showed another model: a genius hooligan. The people's love forgave him everything — the Hand of God, cocaine, the mafia. He was "one of us," from the slums to the nobility. But for many children, he became an example of "you can do anything if you're cool."

In the 2000s, Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham — commercial heroes. Beckham turned football into show business. His hairstyles, tattoos, marriage to a pop star set trends not only on the field but also in life.

2010-2020 — the era of Messi and Ronaldo. Hyperprofessionals, ascetics, robot goalkeepers. They showed that diligence and discipline are more important than dirty talent. And this is the right message.

Now it's time for Mbappe and Hollan. They are already millionaires at 20, live on Instagram, but so far they have kept their hands off. Will they be able to remain clean heroes without scandals — we will see.

Football player and social responsibility

Becoming a hero, a football player automatically gets a huge social load. His post on social media is read by millions. His actions are discussed in the news. Therefore, every move of a star should be weighed.

Good examples: Rashed Rakhimov, who transferred part of his salary to children's homes. Luka Modrić, who testified against corrupt officials of his club. Messi, paying for operations for dozens of children. Bad examples: players who secretly held parties during the pandemic while fans were sitting at home. Or those who raised their hand in the locker room at young people. Apologies do not help for this.

The important rule: a hero does not choose whether to be an example or not. He is already an example. By default. As soon as you are watched by children, you are responsible for every step you take.

The psychology of imitation: why children imitate football players

The child's psyche is so arranged that to form, a child needs to identify with a strong, successful, noticeable adult. A football player is ideal: he is in the spotlight, he wins, he is praised by millions. The child subconsciously says: "I want to be like him. Then they will also love me."

Everything is imitated: the way to run, the hairstyle, tattoos, the celebration of goals, even the brand of chewing gum. Boys start to shave their legs like professionals. They make complex hairstyles like Cristiano. They spend half their salary on boots "like Messi." This is not bad and not good — this is a mechanism of growing up. But parents can guide this imitation in the right direction. For example, enroll the child in a football section and say: "Your hero trained for three hours every day. Will you do the same?"

When a hero disappoints

The most painful for a fan is to find out that his hero is an ordinary person with dirty sides. Example: the story of a football player who was caught in fixed matches. Or who beat his wife. Or who went to prison for not paying taxes. Thousands of fans fall into cognitive dissonance: "He's the best, he couldn't have done that!" Or worse, they start justifying: "He's right, taxes are robbery, don't pay!"

Psychologists advise: separate the player from the person. Admire his dribbling, shot, goal sense. But do not justify his crimes or immoral actions. If a hero falls into the mud, you have the right to stop worshiping him. And even have the obligation to explain to your children that heroes also make mistakes and mistakes should be answered for.

How to choose the right hero for a child

If your son or daughter are in love with a certain football player, do not banish or mock them. Instead, do three things.

Firstly, study the biography. Tell them how long their hero worked in a children's school. What traumas did he go through. Who he thanks after victories. Secondly, look for interviews and reports off the field. You will see how he interacts with fans, his family, how he behaves in guest programs. Thirdly, find a moment where the hero showed himself ethically: for example, picked up an opponent from the ground after a hard tackle, or refused a penalty, admitting that the fall was not. Show this to the child as an ideal. Do not be afraid to dispel myths. If the hero turns out to be a fraud, a drug addict, or an aggressor, explain: "I love his football, but I don't like his actions. Let's look at other great ones — for example, Lionel Messi, who never simulates."

And do not be afraid to expose the myth. If the hero turns out to be a fraud, a drug addict, or an aggressor, explain: "I love his football, but I don't like his actions. Let's look at other great ones — for example, Lionel Messi, who never simulates."

Who among modern football players is a role model hero

If you need to name several names without any risk of making a mistake, here is the list. Lionel Messi — modest, a family man, does not simulate, does not drink, engages in charity. Cristiano Ronaldo — an incredible workaholic, wears blood on the training ground, helps children's hospitals. Robert Lewandowski — an intellectual on the field and off it, an exemplary professional. Son Hyun Min — does not simulate, respects opponents, pays the salaries of South Korea's national team members out of his own pocket. These are people you can imitate without shame.

And those who should not be set as examples are those who are known for simulations, aggression on the field, legal scandals. We will not name names, fans know them anyway.

Conclusion: heroes are needed, but with caution

A football player as a hero is a huge force. He can lift millions of people, make children go to training, give up bad habits, believe in themselves. But he can also destroy orientation if he turns out to be a scoundrel. Therefore, blind worship, but critical admiration — this is the right path. Love the game, respect the masters, but do not put them on a pedestal without criticism. And then football will remain a pure art, not a religion with questionable saints.

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