Rafa Maranon has reflected that there is another reason that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are where they are, their humble nature.
The former Real Madrid and Espanyol striker believes that the duo are good examples of why not every player that may appear talented can make the jump from a club’s academy into the senior side.
“I argue that if you put all youth team players in the first team then you end up with a B team,” Maranon, who managed 111 goals in nine years at Espanyol, after developing at Madrid’s youth team.
“I like the youngsters, but when you can get them. And then there is the character of each – they may be able to meet the youth team’s values, but if the person is not strong, they are useless.
“Everyone in the world does not make it through. Messi is unique because in addition to being a great footballer he is very simple.
“And Cristiano is much criticised for his flashes of bravado, but I do not believe that he is arrogant, but rather stubborn and shy, employing this mechanism as a defence.
“I am convinced, because he comes from a humble background and has worked hard to get to where he is today.”
