Obsession has a negative connotation attached to it. 

Just like daily work, endless effort, the inability to understand defeat, and the stubbornness to succeed no matter what.

There’s an immediate attack from defenders of work-life balance!

Not just in Portugal, but around the world.

There’s more focus on well-being and the individual. 

Which is good, of course!

Loving to win or not being able to tolerate defeat are two completely different things!

But that doesn’t mean others are wrong!

In fact, today everything seems polarized. 

Either Messi or Ronaldo. 

Either Far-Right or Far-Left. 

Either we must all defend leisure time as paramount, and bosses texting on a Saturday as an offense, or we are all wrong.

I don’t get it.

In fact, I argue that obsession is something very good and productive, if guided correctly. 

That is, an athlete who cannot accept defeat or feels they always have to be the best, knowing they’ll have to work harder than others to achieve those goals, will likely perform better and achieve greater results. 

Simply because they accept no other reality.

In this way, the concept of Mentoring (or Coaching, for those who think that way) becomes very important, because it allows the young athlete to grow with that desire to always be the best and to win always, but with the support of someone guiding them in the right direction, channeling their energy positively. 

And, here, I don’t think a strong plan or rigid Mentoring or Coaching structure is necessary. 

It could simply be the Coach, the Technical Director, a parent, another relative, or an agent…

This is why Youth Coaches are so important!

Because they work with athletes in the development of their technical skills, but mainly in discovering their “me” and their way of being in life, their approach to work, etc.

Regardless, I strongly defend these athletes. 

Maybe because I’ve always been an athlete with a strong personality. 

Never afraid to give my opinion or take responsibility.

But for me, Cristiano Ronaldo, without having obsession as an ally (like probably ALL great geniuses and world icons), would never be Cristiano Ronaldo, the legend.

Does it have negative aspects?

Potentially.

But what doesn’t?

Understand this: Loving to win and not being able to tolerate defeat are two completely different things!