It's a question that's been nagging the back of my head for quite a while: What makes a true professional?
Is it somebody with nail-biting skill and overwhelming ability in his play? Well, that makes Didier Drogba sound like a professional.
Not that Drogba isn't a 'pro.' Hell, he's playing in the Premier League for one of the biggest clubs in the world, in one of the biggest leagues in the world, not in some third division Belgian side.
In all fairness though, Drogba's attitude often appears to be unprofessional to state it mildly. Yes—the coin-throwing at the Burnley bunch wasn't too professional neither was admitting that he often got booked on purpose to earn suspensions to get a break in Jose Mourinho's era at Stamford Bridge.
But let's not have Drogba distract us here. Yes, he's a great player, but we're looking for a true professional.
Nonetheless, Drogba's example has helped us establish the fact that attitude plays a massive role in contributing to the stature of a true professional.
In that case, Stoke City's Dave Kitson stands out because, as he explains in this article, he's managed to keep his feet on the ground—life for him is football, not cars and heavily paid commercials to say the least.
However, Kitson has the attitude, in the sense that he's committed to the game, he's determined to stand out, he knows when he sweats on the pitch—his passion explodes.
That doesn't really sum up a true professional for me yet; Kitson has the attitude, but the ability is lacking.
Let's face it, you can have all the passion in the world, but if you are an Ashley Cole then you're not getting anywhere, are you?
- attitude
- ability
We've worked out two essential qualities in the making of a true professional, now let's explore...
Let's examine a few random players to check whether they have these two qualities:
Craig Bellamy—mismatch?
Clarence Seedorf—got both!
Ashley Cole—got neither!
Moving on, a true footballer needs the heart to succeed, to overcome all obstacles including failure.
Besides ability and attitude, we need reliability—otherwise this show won't get on the road!
You need a player who the manager is willing to bank on, a player who you know will come out on top, nine times out of 10—perhaps a Raul or a Paulo Maldini.
Ability, Attitude, Determination, Compassion, Reliability, Commitment, Leadership and Luck?—that's my equation.
Legends, I'm talking Maradona, I'm talking Pele, and I'm talking Di Stefano—are all legends true professionals? Or, better yet, are all true professionals legends?
At the end of this discussion, I stand where I started—confused!
Did you get anywhere?
Do you agree?
Please let us know your opinion of the true professional.
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about 1 month ago
A true professional is committed and always gives it his/her best at all times. One doesn't necessarily need all the ability in the world.. the will to improve is all that is required and anyone can go miles.
Pat Rice said once that the real disappointment for him was to find players with a lack of heart, not a lack of skill.. you need real heart to be the best..
from about 1 month ago
heart..says it all.
about 1 month ago
Example of a true professional, as you said in you're article: Paolo Maldini. Look no further!
from about 1 month ago
very true, Barney.
about 1 month ago
I think you're wrong about Kitson Salaar, despite what he said in his article it is his poor attitude on the training ground that has kept him out of the team at the Britannia.
And I'm not sure what you're trying to say about Ashley Cole, as Senior Football Writer you shouldn't look at it with your Arsenal hat on.
Cole is probably the best left full to ply his trade in England since Denis Irwin. And although he had a problem with Arsenal and facillitated a move to Chelsea, his footballing attitude is usually quite good.
There are a million factors that make players. And there are a million factors used to rate players, I mentioned some of them in an article I wrote a few days ago "How do YOU rate players?"
There a various versions of pro footballers.
And attitude and ability are two of the million factors needed to become a footballer
from about 1 month ago
Ashley Cole's back-turning acts with Mike Riley and his attitude in general has never impressed me. Personally, he blocks a place for the likes of Nicky Shorey and Wayne Bridge etc..overall he seems to arrogant, boastful, conceited and unprofessional.
about 1 month ago
I agree with Paolo Maldini and i'd regard Carra as a proffesional. But thats just my opinion.
Great article, Salaar! Keep 'em coming
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Michelle.
about 1 month ago
A true pro doesn't shirk responsibilty..he can make mistakes...kitson, cole examples but he'll never hide and always want the ball and would never give up. It is nothing to do with ability in my opinion.
Maldini is thee example...
from about 1 month ago
That's true..he doesn't hide.
about 1 month ago
Whether or not players exploit their position as footballers to make money out of marketing etc... should not mean they are considered less of a professional - David Beckham works hard at training and on the field - NEVER shirks responsibility and bounced back from one of the most disgusting hate campaigns i have ever witnessed. Yet he makes millions out of sponsorship and spends ludicrous amounts on cars, houses and the rest - BUT i dont think this makes him less of a pro.
Secondly i think that ability is nothing to do with professionalism at all - it isnt even a factor. Pele the greatest footballer of all time was hardly a model professional, preffering to party all the time..... In fact if i can digress slightly - the fastest man on the planet Usain Bolt is the very opposite of a professional. I agree with Shyam about needing heart to be great. Players like Pele and Best had heart, they just also liked to party.....
I think that A.Cole lets himself down with ill discipline, like Drogba, which i think is a contributory factor in professionalism....
Discipline, Work Ethic, Team Support, Honesty and Integrity - i think these are the virtues of a true professional.
about 1 month ago
that's too confusing for me so i'm just going with the fact that a professional footballer is someone who works full-time as a football player.
about 1 month ago
Two words, one man: Paolo Maldini
Ultimate professional.
from about 1 month ago
Maldini's show of club loyalty also stands out.
about 1 month ago
A true professional?
Pat Jennings.
Pat Rice (joined Arsenal in 1964 and is still there!)
Dennis Bergkamp.
Bobby Moore.
Paolo Maldini.
from about 1 month ago
Pat Rice..boy, he'll buried in a Arsenal cover..
from about 1 month ago
Ha ha Rice is not going to get a heartattack on the sideline - he just sits there so quiet
from about 1 month ago
if he won't Wenger probably will, not many managers can take winning against Chelsea, Man Utd and losing to Stoke, Hull and Fulham.
about 1 month ago
A true professional has to own four very vital criteria:
1- Respect & Honesty
2- Dedication & Perseverance
Thanks for the article Salaar.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Khalid...very true.
about 1 month ago
man you really don't like Ashley Cole do you?
from about 1 month ago
He's a decent left-back, Illya, but his attitude in recent times has been too poor, I've probably been too harsh on him but I've done it to bring across my point stronger to the readers.
from about 1 month ago
fair enough, in terms of professionals he is not the most likeable.
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