Icelandic1991

"Defending is never just a matter of physique.
Look at the greatest defenders in the world: they impose their mentality from the locker room to the pitch. From when the referee blows the whistle until it’s time to shower. You never stop being a defender, there’s no switch that turns off. The desire to excel haunts you and conditions every aspect of your life. You will always find a faster and bigger opponent, but that’s why you’ll have to be strong.
Being a central defender means interpreting the world around you. You have to recognize the speed of the ball by the sound it makes when it leaves your opponent’s foot, intercept the pass before anyone else. Let the wind caress you and feel its intensity on your skin to predict how much it will affect the trajectory. Tackle the attacker and then look him in the eyes to understand how much fuel he has left and if it’s in reserve, you’ll have to destroy his last hopes. Feel the breathing of your teammates and decide when it’s time to slow down the pace. Raise your head when everyone else is looking down. Scream to shake the silence. Jump higher when your legs burn and your mouth is covered in blood. Being a defender means being different. Forever."