A LESSON I LEARNT FROM FOOTBALL WHILE GROWING UP
As a kid back then watching Ronaldo(El fenomenal) on TV scoring goals, dribbling every opponent at sight really developed my interest in football and makes me want to play football all day, but there was this stumbling block. At home I was not allowed to go and play ball with other kids in the area, so I do sneak out and join other kids once in a while(Though the end product of this is serious whipping once I get discovered) . This was the Era when competitions which we called FORM was the in thing. You gather 4 players with a goalkeeper, pay as much as 50naira to the host whom we call ASSOCIATION (Who could either be one bros in the area who wants to make quick cash ASAP or one of our sharp mates) to get registered in the competition.
Due to the restrictions on how often I go to the field, I don't get selected by any of my mates who procured registration forms to participate in the competition as nobody wants to select an untested player in their team for the competition where pride, bragging rights and money is at stake. The few times I get selected is as a defender, since I was seen by all as a player who is not afraid of being hit by thunderous shots on any part of his body. And this defence role, I played dutifully well until one day when our opposing team came out to attack massively in a bid to score a late winning goal, leaving behind only their keeper in goal. In the process of pressing us hard within our half, the ball was loose, I got hold of it then I bolted into a sprint. In a flash I was one on one with their keeper, but everybody knew I will definitely bulldoze the ball out. Right I just told myself Wale u can disappoint these people, but don't disappoint yourself. And in a twinkle of an eye I left the keeper sprawling on the floor after dribbling him to and fro and the ball well tucked in the net. And the whole team was on me because the match was won.

And that changed everything, right there I knew I had the Ronaldo stuff in me, it was just locked up somewhere deep down and I had to find it and unlock it. Then I bought a ball which I started using to practice and perfect my skills when am home alone. I kept on investing my whole leisure time in this (Wasn't even bothered about extra reading since I was high flying academically). And before u knew it, my rating on the field of play increased, in fact I started getting selected often and to even play my desired position. I got so better I started following others to play outside competitions which I previously sneak to watch. Then we played a competition final against the best team in town that year and we had to pack the bus all day long to survive (typical Chelsea Vs barca) Then I was introduced, I started a solo run from our defensive position, finished the ball into the net and seal the victory. And thus I have outshined their top striker who was the best player in our area back then.

From then on I was never afraid to take on anybody, I was never in doubt of my ability to shine. And from then on I practised, improved and even played better than players who enrolled in football Academy.

MORAL OF THE STORY
Though today am not a professional footballer, I learnt the following lessons.
1. Never limit yourself in terms of the greatness you are capable of achieving.
2.Dont allow the restrictions around you to define.
3.That great person u deify and worship for being great is human, u can as reach the height he has reached and even surpass it.
4.Nobody will do it for u, u have to do it for yourself.
5.I channeled the same attitude to my academics later and it has made the difference.

Very Inspiring

Nice signature as well.

ValerianSteel:
Very Inspiring
Nice signature as well.

Tnx bro