This is article 3 in the SP100 list, highlighting elite athletes' and coaches' achievements, philosophies and methodologies. These articles highlight stories and careers that have potentially been missed or gone under the radar by the mainstream media.
Since arriving in the premier league in 2019, Rodri has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. During his time at Manchester City, he has won multiple domestic titles and made it to a Champions League final. His ability on the football field has shone over the last few years. However, his lifestyle and achievements off the field have gone under the radar. His off-the-field life is the area which really differentiates him as an exceptional example of a performance athlete.
Focus on dual development
While playing at Villarreal, Rodri managed to impress on and off the field. While emerging as a professional footballer in La Liga, he completed a degree in Business Studies and Economics. He balanced a precarious and stressful football career as he emerged as a professional while completing a degree where he didn’t miss a single lecture.
Many professional athletes have the mindset that once they get their first contract, they have made it. They do not need the realities of the real world as they have entered the magical bubble of professional sport. However, this is far from the truth. All professional athletes are one bad injury or a run of bad form away from exiting the bubble. This is not necessarily a financial exit. Many have such lucrative financial contracts that even if they retire in their early 20s, they will never need to work again. However, there’s more to exiting the sporting bubble than just money. Life is long, and there is a lot of time to fill to live a fulfilling life.
Since completing his degree, Rodri has gone from strength to strength on the field and increased his contract size and length multiple times. He is now earning nearly 150k a week and has earned enough money never to work again. Even if he retired tomorrow, he would have no need to create a CV and apply for graduate jobs with his degree certificate. However, he pushed himself, achieved a goal and opened a secondary door in life. His work in duality to his primary job has diversified his life experience and understanding. He may go on to never use any of the information he learned through his course, but he has developed a second string to his bow.
Most of us are not in the fortunate position of being paid 200k a week for our primary income stream. We do not have the job security of a multiyear financial contract with guaranteed income. This makes this lesson even more crucial. As industries change and companies develop, job security becomes increasingly sparse. With the evolution of automation and the increase in population, maintaining a high income is challenging.
Whether you are a professional athlete fighting for a new contract, or an office worker competing for promotion/ avoiding redundancy, developing dual skills is a no-brainer. Diversifying qualifications, knowledge, and training creates a well-rounded individual who is an exciting prospect for any team or company. It also opens many doors to allow you to pivot and shift within your life to take on new opportunities and roles.
Live simply to focus
Rodri has won multiple premier leagues, domestic cups, and a UEFA super cup. He is a seasoned Spanish international who is highly regarded across the globe. He earns millions of pounds a year for his skills on the pitch, and most would not blame him if he used some of the money to enjoy himself lavishly. However, Rodri does nothing of the sort.
While many premier league players plaster their social media with photos of supercars, mansions and rare watches, Rodri lives a humble life. He drives a normal car, lives in modest accommodation, and has no social media presence. He goes about his business in peace and focuses on his performances for his team.
During his degree at the Universidad de Castellon in eastern Spain, students were shocked to realise that the La Liga star had moved into shared student accommodation while playing for Villarreal. He sat and chatted with his fellow students, joined in with games and went about his life as a normal student would do. During his spell at Atletico Madrid, he was known for driving to training in a second-hand Opel Corsa while his teammates arrived in the luxury of supercars.
While there is nothing wrong with enjoying the money you have earned, the approach taken by Rodri is refreshing. His career on the pitch is his primary focus. He channels his energy into improving his abilities rather than spending his spoils. The same goes for his lack of social media presence. While many focus on building their following and spending time producing content for the platforms, he focuses on training and recovering.
Rodri’s lifestyle is not for everyone. Many enjoy spending their money on themselves and others, enjoying the finer things in life and living a life of luxury if they can afford it. However, Rodri’s career has set a fine example for those wanting to achieve greatness. Whether a young athlete looking to make it as a professional or a student looking to take on the business world, this lifestyle can help you thrive.
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