Well

I've come to realise over the years that to me, a person's moral character is a great deal more important than their talent.

In various ways, professional and personal, I've known lots and lots of very talented people. People with a claim to be the Maradonas of law. Some very talented finance people. Some very successful artists. And so on.

Obviously I admire their talents. But to me, their talents matter a great deal less than their moral compass, than what they are like as people.

And because of what I do (law) I am repulsed by cheating. I come across it all the time. I see it in the papers I read about deals gone wrong; I see witnesses panic and squirm and lie. Sometimes I see honourable people who do none of those things. People who tried to do the right thing at the time, and who now won't join in a cover up.

They are the people who impress me.

Translate that into a sporting context and I have infinitely more admiration for (say ) Lineker, who never even got a yellow card, than I am by Maradona, who was far far FAR more talented - but was a cheat. Not just Hand of God, but constantly.

If his talent outweighs his character for you, then I can only shake my head in return.

Posted By: Old Git, Nov 25, 18:08:48