Career Planning Based on Cristiano Ronaldos Career Path - Essay Example

Career Planning Based on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Career Path Football has been one of the most popular sports in the world. Kunz stated that over 200 million are playing football, which has reinforced the position of the game as world’s top sport (10). In Qatar, football is being intensely promoted; hence, it strengthens the aspiration of enthusiasts to become a player. One of the world’s renowned football players is Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), who gained several recognitions and awards. It is this man and his success that will be the icon and foundation of this career plan. This paper then aims to create a career plan focusing on sports based on learning and insights on the career path of Cristiano Ronaldo in football. He has been chosen due to his recognition and performance in this sports field. A section of the paper will allocate a discussion of his career as the basis for creating the personal five year career plan. The plan will include specific goals and methods on how this can be achieved. Football in the World and Qatar Football was recognized to come from Britain, which is widely played during the 1700s in from courts to narrow streets of the urban communities (Murray B. and Murray W. 2). However, historical accounts suggest that the game was played in Asian countries and the United States. This means that football is already a global sport long before the founding of the world cup tournaments. It can be associated that this is a primary reason for the world’s increasing interest in the sport. In UAE, the football association exerted enormous effort in promoting the sport (Al Abed et al. 302). Despite the current ranking in FIFA World Cup, Qatar invested its wealth on football as evident in the UAE’s success, completed tournaments, and sponsorship deals. In implication, Qatar and UAE encourage the increase of interest in the sport, and inculcate it to be part of their culture and education. Hence, it is not unexpected that many enthusiasts would aspire to pursue a career in football. In relation to the career plan, it is important to be aware of the facts and the roots of the game to understand the impact and significance of the sport to a person and to the world. Moreover, this will provide a view of opportunities for becoming a player. Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo has been selected to be an icon for this career plan due to his successful career in football. He has been identified as one of the top best football player of his time. This star is currently playing for Real Madrid, who is considered to be the best winger who has played in the world cup (Greaves and Giller). His skills are a combination of his own and that of other of acclaimed players. This Portugal-born player commenced his football career when he joined the Sporting Clube de Portugal (Coutinho 32). This player already shined in the Portugal team with 69 international games and 22 goals scored. However, Ronaldo has been a frequenter in the national games as he played for Under-17 and Under-20 to 22. These exhibit that even at an early age Ronaldo’s skills and abilities as a player has brought him to the international stage and a glorious high point. It was not until 2003 that he was transferred to Manchester United and Real Madrid in 2009. This paper deemed that his exposure to different teams further developed his skills and performance as it introduced various playing techniques. Ronaldo is equipped with speed and excellent ball control that shaped him as the world’s most fatal winger (Coutinho 32). His dexterity paved way for his nomination as FIFA World Soccer Player in the year 2008, and runner-up in 2009. Aside from his skills, he is also highly professional. His former coach (Jose Mourinho) admired Ronaldo for being the most professional player he has met (Richards, Coaching Ronaldo). This may be one of the factors that pushed Ronaldo’s growing career. Apparently, abilities should be coupled with right attitude to attain and retain success. Ronaldo also received a fair amount of criticism. Critics argued that Ronaldo also plays mischievously wherein he claims groundless penalties to gain points (Greaves and Giller). These denunciatory stories are reported and published on TVs, tabloids and newspapers. However, he was able to mature as a player as seen in his flourishing skills and behaviour. These practices may not be inevitable, but the most important insight of this is the recognition and counters one’s wrongness. Personal Sports Career Goals. The childhood dreams and exposure to the game pushed the creation of this career plan. Also, as an international student in Qatar, it strengthens the desire to become a player. To note, Qatar has greatly invested dedication and funds to promote the sports. Hence, as an enthusiast and a student residing in Qatar, it has become an ambition to pursue a career in football. This plan will be completed after five years with the ultimate goal of becoming an international football player. Firstly, it is important to define a specific goal for the plan. Ronaldo did not achieve his success without setting a goal. In sport, goal setting is the commonly used motivational strategies (Horn 341). The general goal then of this career plan to is to be a football player playing for Qatar or the home country. It can be recognized that Ronaldo has been on the field at an early age; therefore, as an aspirant, it is important to start young. This leads to a short term goal of acquiring education on theories and practical skills for the sport. This should include ball control and speed similar to Ronaldo’s. While, the midterm goal is to join local or national football clubs to further hone one’s skills. Accomplishing the Goals. The second phase of completing this career plan to determine steps that will aid the aspirant to attain the goals. One should be involved in football activities inside and outside of school. Similar to Ronaldo, the aspirant should expose oneself to various sports activities to acquire further knowledge and skills. According to Masterman governing groups acknowledge the importance of exposure to potential participants or aspirants (102). The aspirant should play in various competitions and observe actual plays like the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It is also a coming opportunity that the Cup will be held in Qatar by the year 2022. This may be a time where the aspirant will be able to play for the country. Aside from exposure, the aspirant should also understand that attitude and behaviour in the sport is very crucial. Hence, the aspirant should also attend sport management classes for personal enhancement and preparation for the ultimate goal. Conclusion Football has long been one of the most played sport in the world. Hence, it is inevitable that children may be exposed to this game also taking into consideration the efforts provided to promote the sport. Due to this long history, the enthusiast aspires to become a football player. However, it is acknowledged that it is not an easy goal. This career plan based its path on the career of an acclaimed football player, Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo’s career showed that his success is due to his skills and attitude as a sport player. Based on his career trajectory, the career planned deemed that exposure and education are important elements to gain further knowledge and enhance attitude. This, in turn, will be the ultimate source of achieving the goals and sustaining success. Works Cited Al Abed, Ibrahim, Paula Vine, Peter Hellyer, and Peter Vine, eds. United Arab Emirates Yearbook 2006. London: Trident Press, 2006. Print. Coutinho, Austin. Goal! Football World Cup Quiz and Fun Book. Mumbai: Popular Prakashan Pvt. Lyd., 2010. Print. Greaves, Jimmy and Norman Giller. Football’s Great Heroes and Entertainers. Great Britain: Hodder and Stoughton, 2007. Print. Horn, Thelma, ed. Advances in Sport Psychology. 3rd ed. USA: Human Kinetics, 2008. Print. Kunz, Matthias. “Big Count.” FIFA Magazine. FIFA, Jul 2007. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. Masterman, Guy. Strategic Sports Event Management. 2nd ed. Slovenia: TNQ Books, 2009. Print. Murray, Bill, and William J. Murray. The World’s Game: A History of Soccer. USA: University of Illinois, 1998. Print. Richards, Alex. “Coaching Cristiano Ronaldo the Highlight of My Career Says Chelsea Boss Jose Mourinho.” Mirror Online. Mirror, 13 Nov. 2013. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. Read More