Millions of boys and girls around the world hang posters of Messi and Ronaldo on their walls. They repeat their celebrations after scoring a goal. They ask their parents to buy boots "like Neymar's." A football player is more than just an athlete. He is a idol. An icon. A role model. But should we always idolize those who kick the ball? And how can we tell 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 become a hero more often than others for children and teenagers? Firstly, football is the most popular game on the planet. It is watched, played, and talked about. Secondly, a football player is a visible success. He runs, scores, wins. This is understandable even to a five-year-old child. Thirdly, the career of a football player looks like a fairy tale: a poor boy from the slums becomes a millionaire and a star. Fourthly, the football player is always on screen — advertisements, interviews, magazine covers. His image is widely spread. But the main thing is emotions. The football player brings joy to people, the bitterness of defeats, the delight of victories. And this emotional connection is stronger than any rational argument.

The ideal idol: what he should be like

What kind of football player deserves to be an idol for the younger generation? Let's try to draw a portrait. Firstly, talent and hard work. Football legends are not born, they become. Messi injected growth hormone, Ronaldo stayed on the training ground after all. An idol should show that success is not only a gift from the gods but also sweat, blood, early rises, 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 sportsmanship. Thirdly, integrity off the field. A football idol 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 school meals for poor children in England. Didier Drogba stopped the civil war in Ivory Coast by simply kneeling on the field. These are legendary acts. Fourthly, longevity. An idol is not a flash in the pan for one season. It is a player who maintains the level for 10-15 years. Someone who can be emulated for years without being disappointed.

The flip side: idols with corruption

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. He was loved, but is this an example to emulate? Or modern footballers 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 good 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 the idol 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, did not smoke, smiled, won. His image perfectly suited the Cold War: both capitalist Western and socialist Eastern sides cheered for the king of football. In the 1980s, Maradona showed another model: a genius troublemaker. Public 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 are cool." In the 2000s, Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham — commercial idols. 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 hard work 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, living on Instagram, but they are still holding themselves back. Will they be able to remain clean idols without scandals — we will see.

Football player and social responsibility

By becoming an idol, a football player automatically gets an enormous social burden. 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 confined to their homes. Or those who raised their hand at young people in the dressing room. An apology does not help. An important rule: an idol 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.

Psychology of imitation: why children imitate football players

The child's psyche is such that in order 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. A child subconsciously says: "I want to be like him. Then they will also love me." Everything is copied: the way he runs, his hairstyle, tattoos, the way he celebrates goals, even the brand of gum. Boys start to shave their legs like professionals. They make complex hairstyles like Cristiano. They spend part of their parents' salaries on boots "like Messi's." This is not bad and not good — this is a mechanism of maturation. But parents can guide this imitation in the right direction. For example, enroll the child in a football section and say: "Your idol trained for three hours every day. Will you do the same?".

When the idol disappoints

The most painful for a fan is to find out that his hero is just 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: distinguish between the player and the person. Admire his dribbling, shot, goal instinct. But do not justify his crimes or immoral actions. If an idol has fallen into the mud, you have the right to stop worshiping him. And you even have the obligation to explain to your children that heroes also make mistakes and that mistakes should be answered for.

How to choose the right idol for a child

If your son or daughter are in love with a certain football player, do not forbid or mock them. Instead, do three things. Firstly, study his biography. Tell him how long his idol worked in the youth school. What traumas he went through. Who he thanks after victories. Secondly, find interviews and reports outside the field. See how he interacts with fans, his family, how he behaves in guest programs. Thirdly, find a moment where the idol showed himself ethically: for example, he picked up an opponent from the ground after a fierce tackle, or he refused a penalty, admitting that he did not fall. Show this to the child as an ideal. And do not be afraid to debunk myths. If the idol turns out to be a cheater, a drug addict, or an aggressor, explain: "I love his football, but I do not love his actions. Let's look at other greats — for example, at Lionel Messi, who never simulates."

Who among modern footballers is an example of an idol

If you need to name several names without risk of error, here is a list. Lionel Messi — modest, a family man, does not simulate, does not drink, engages in charity. Cristiano Ronaldo — an incredible workaholic, wears blood on his training, 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 who can be emulated without shame. And those who should not be set as examples are those who are known for simulations, field aggression, legal scandals. We will not name names, fans already know.

Conclusion: idols are needed, but with a look

A football player as an idol is a great power. He can raise millions to their feet, make children go to training, abandon 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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