By now, we all recognize the incidence of psychological variables on both performance and experience in sport Specifically in football, we tend to mask them with expressions such as “being a pineapple” (group cohesion), “coming out plugged in” (concentration), “filling up with the ball” (narrow attentional frame) or “filling up with ghosts” (cognitive anxiety), among many others.
However, the idea that these variables can be trained and, with it, the professional figure of the sports psychologist still has a way to go.
Moments in football history that could have been different
In this article we are going to review 3 moments in the history of football that, perhaps, would have been different with adequate mental training that maximizes the chances of success.
1. Riquelme’s penalty
The 2006 Champions League edition will be remembered for being FC Barcelona’s second cup, but some of us remember it as Villarreal’s first contact with the top European competition… and what a contact it was!
The yellow submarine reached the semi-finals after eliminating Glasgow Rangers and Inter Milan, no less, and the last step before the dream of the final was Arsenal.
After losing 1-0 in London, we reached the 90th minute at the Madrigal with a goalless tie, when the yellows found themselves with a penalty in their favor to force extra time. The person in charge of launching it would be the Argentine international Juan Román Riquelme, one of the best players of his time and an expert thrower. However, his own facial and body expression revealed the imminent tragedy… Riquelme would fail and it would be Arsenal who would reach the final that, in the end, the culé team would win.
When we perceive a high demand of the situation regarding our capabilities, pressure is produced. Adequate cognitive management, accompanied by breathing and concentration techniques, can help us minimize the psychological factor in tests as “simple” at a technical level as taking a penalty.
The ‘Alcorconazo’ against Real Madrid
In 2009, president Florentino Pérez returned to Real Madrid. Faithful to his philosophy of “the team with the best players in the world will be the best team in the world”, he repeated his all-star strategy and Madrid stormed the bank by signing the two Ballon d’Or winners Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo, the young promise Karim Benzema and national stars like Xabi Alonso or Álvaro Arbeloa.
Such an aircraft carrier docked in Santo Domingo, the home ground of the modest 2ªB, AD Alcorcón in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey. To this day, it is still a topic of discussion as to how it was possible for David to beat Goliath 4-0, since, if Madrid had better players, a better coach, more experience, more money… Where was the key?
Motivation is the engine of all our actions, and having it can lead us to achieve the craziest dreams, just as the lack of it can lead to the most unexpected failures. Having attractive and challenging goals is one way to train it.
Zidane’s headbutt to Materazzi
Zinedine Zidane was probably the best player of his time. Star at Juventus and Real Madrid, champion of the Champions League, Euro Cup, World Cup and Ballon d’Or, he put an end to this successful career with the 2006 World Cup in Germany. After a great tournament, he was decisive, scoring against Spain and assisting against Brazil. , stood in the final against the always fearsome Italians. Things couldn’t have started better for France: Penalty in favor and Zizou, far from getting nervous, converted the 1-0 Panenka style into the squad. However, we already know what happens with Italy… Materazzi equalized with a header and forced extra time, but that would not be his last contribution to the cause.
In added time, the defender dropped some impertinence on Zidane that got the galactico out of his mind, who gave him a rude headbutt in the chest, getting him expelled from the match, the final, the World Cup and, ultimately, from football. Without Zidane on the field and with one less, Italy managed to hold out until the penalty shootout that would end up giving them their fourth world title.
Emotional intelligence consists of using emotions in our own interest Anger, excessive activation, can be oriented toward effort and resilience, rather than aggression. We understand that the psychological aspect is important, but it is so important that, if it had come out heads, perhaps today Vilarreal would have a Champions League and Zidane would have had a movie ending… and perhaps with adequate mental training… we would not depend on the currency
By citing this article, you acknowledge the original source and allow readers to access the full content.
This article has been reviewed by our editorial team at PsychologyFor to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to evidence-based research. The content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice.
