In the world of professional sport, what matters is an athlete’s performance and achievements, rather than their attitude or behaviour – at least, this is what some people tend to believe. Although I understand that, at the end of the day, even the greatest athletes are ordinary humans, with their own faults and imperfections, I still think that a true professional should place equal, if not greater, importance on how they behave to set a proper example for both their peers and their followers.
Being a prominent athlete does not only constitute great talent or outstanding performance; rather, it encompasses a much wider variety of personal and professional qualities, with sportsmanship being arguably the most important one of those. It is crucial for athletes at all levels – not just professionals – to treat each other with the same amount of respect and understanding as they would normally expect to be treated back. Granted, it might be difficult to maintain the clarity of mind and to remain tactful in the heat of the game, but being able to do so is what separates true professionals from impudent wannabes. N’golo Kanté, a living legend of the French football, embodies this vision. The trophies that he has won make him no different from other prominent French footballers, but his modest and down-to-earth personality has brought him love and recognition from every corner of the globe – something that no performance indicator can bring a fraction of.
It is also expected from professional athletes to watch their words and actions off the field. True, all athletes deserve to have a life outside sport – just as any other working person deserves to have a life outside their work. That being the case, professional athletes still need to take into account the need to maintain the reputation in the eyes of their followers as they have the power to influence opinions and set trends, and this principle also applies to all the other celebrities. Whether it is an athlete, a pop star, or a politician, every celebrity should act as a proper role model for others to follow and, therefore, not over-indulge in activities that might be deemed inappropriate. From unhealthy lifestyle or substance abuse to bullying and racism, a celebrity of any kind has the responsibility to lead others to a better life by their own example. If they allow themselves to misbehave, this task will hardly be fulfilled.
In conclusion, on the one hand, it might be wrong to impose strict limitations onto professional athletes and strip them of who they are deep inside – simple human beings. However, at such a high level of their career and with all the power that they have over the minds of their followers, I would still argue that any instance of misbehaviour, whether on or off the playing field, is unacceptable.