I was reading Alastair Campbell's new book 'Winners: And How They Succeed' last night (as a Cavanman our only hope is to experience victory vicariously through others) and I happened upon a really interesting story from back when Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were teammates at Man United.
One could make a strong argument that in the beginning of their United careers Rooney was ahead of Ronaldo in terms of his journey to become a great all round player and, more specifically, a player who fitted well into a team.
However, even back then one Man United coach could see the different career trajectory they pair would take. Campbell recalls a visit to their training ground the chat he had with this unnamed member of staff:
I was saying how special they looked, even when training. But the coach said to me: 'Ronaldo could become the best player in the world. Rooney couldn't.'
He said that Ronaldo never ever stopped believing he could improve, whereas Rooney 'thinks he'd made it.'
Now don't get me wrong; Rooney has had a brilliant career and his achievements will unlikely be matched by another English player for a long long time but it's interesting to hear that even at the beginning, those in the know could see the ceilings both players had - or hadn't - placed on themselves.
It goes to show that even at the very top, attitude trumps natural ability every time.
