“When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves.” - Viktor E. Frankl
Italian striker Mario Balotelli sends a new wave of hope to some fallen talents who have become outcasts because of their “troublemaker” reputation. Balotelli has been in terrific form for French side Nice, who are defying odds to sit on top of the French Ligue 1 table.
As for reputations, it becomes very difficult to erase a first impression from public memory.
For instance, Indian cricket talisman Virat Kohli has been his country’s best player by a fair distance over the last few years. For some folk, though, he continues to be boorish, foul-mouthed young brat who arrived on the scene. However, Kohli has gone on to achieve greatness.
Dani Osvaldo, Joey Barton, former Manchester United player Ravel Morrison and Portuguese winger Ricardo Quaresma are some of the other players whose tribulations on and off the pitch headlined their careers.
While Barton has slowly started to fade away from the scene. Quaresma, though, shed his “show-pony” image to play an important part in his country’s win in the European Championships earlier in the year.
Osvaldo, at 30, still has some time left. Morrison has seldom shown the promise that earned him comparisons to former United legends George Best and Ryan Giggs. With age on his side, he too, can turn a corner.
Meanwhile, Balotelli has promised to fly a helicopter over Nice if his side manages to win the title.
