Five Football Players who have displayed mental toughness

With the World Cup underway, the long season for footballers continues. Those at the top of the game could play up to 70 games this season if they can help guide their nation to glory in North America

With that in mind, here’s five players who have show their mental toughness throughout their career in the game.

Whilst the football runs the show this summer, there’s a lot to learn of the pitch and the best motivational podcasts can send you in the right direction to learn more.

Christian Eriksen

The Danish international midfielder has been through more than most. The former golden boy of Ajax was set for it all but has now suffered two cardiac arrests on the pitch in his career.

Christian Eriksen’s first came with the national team, something he bounced back from, returning to England to play football after having a pace-maker fit on his heart.

Despite setbacks, the midfielder has had a full career, playing at the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United and currently Wolfsburg. Few players can come back from such an event, but Eriksen is one of the few.

Bukayo Saka

The young Arsenal winger is now England’s golden boy, but thing’s weren’t always this way.

A late call for the Euro 2020 team, Bukayo Saka would join up with his nation and help them all the way to the final. Unfortunately for him, the attacker would be the player to miss the penalty that saw England fall short of glory.

A torrent of abuse would follow but that would not stop Saka. The winger stepped up, became the first name on the Arsenal team sheet, helping them to a Premier League title and is now with the Three Lions at the World Cup.

Luca Modric

Luca Modric is one of Croatia’s greatest ever players and will go down as one of the best to play his position, but his journey has not been easy.

The now 40-year-old grew up when his nation were at war, fighting his way to even be able to play football at all. Despite the hardship, Modric kept on going, before getting his big move to Tottenham Hotspur.

From there, Modric shone, moving to Real Madrid soon after on the road to winning a Ballon d’Or. The achievements did not stop there as the midfielder would also guide his nation to a World Cup final in 2018. 

There aren’t much better Cinderella stories in football than Modric’s.

David Beckham

The England legend’s career began like any other star youth player as he worked his way through the ranks of Manchester United. With glory comes pressure, and David Beckham has faced more than most.

With the nation on his shoulders, Beckham would slip up, getting sent off in 1998 World Cup, leading a lot of England to blame him for the nation’s exit.

Setback would not stop Beckham. From here, he would go on to win the treble, join Real Madrid and return as England Captain, going on to have many memorable moments in the white shirt of his country.

Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane is now one of Africa’s greatest footballers and the most successful Senegalese footballer of all time, but thing’s weren’t always destined to end this way.

Mane grew up in a small village, with little provisions and little opportunities. Through hardship, hard work and determination, the attacker would make it to Europe, earning his chance, one he would take with open arms.

From here, Mane grew from strength to strength, winning league titles and European titles. 

Despite this, Mane’s biggest achievement would come with his nation, as he guided them to an Africa Cup of Nations.