Is Athletics really a Mind Game?

 Is Athletics Really a Mind Game?

    -Dylan Maund


            Mental health in athletics can be summarized from a footballing legend, Adrea Pirlo, where he argues that “Football is played with the head. Your feet are just the tools.”  


For those unaware, Pirlo is well renowned in football, known as soccer for most Americans, for his creativity and amazing accuracy in passing and dominated the middle of the pitch (field) despite his smaller stature in some of the most competitive competitions like the champions league and the World cup.


To one of the world's best, football is a game of the mind. This highlights the importance of a strong and confident mind when you are trying to perform at your best. 


Self confidence is the crux to maintaining one's mental health. Confidence in your preparations and that you will be able to perform to your abilities. These two types of confidence are key to maintaining an athlete’s mental health but also in everyday tasks. This includes tasks like one's work, dating life, and even friendships. 


A current example in football is Marcus Rashford’s story. The 25 year-old Rashford currently plays football for Manchester United and the English National team.


Rashford emerged in the professional scene as an 18 year old wonderboy almost out of  thin air from the fans perspective. At an instant, he went from playing for youth teams to scoring two goals on his senior debut in a European competition for one of the best English football teams. 


Rashford continued to have promising seasons until last season, the 21-22 Premier league season, where he featured in 32 games and contributed 5 goals and 2 assists which is noticeably lower then previous marks.


Leading into the 21-22 season, Rashford was with the England national team in the Euros 2020 over the summer of 2021. The Euros is a competition between qualified European nations to compete for the title, “Champions of Europe”, until the next tournament four years later.


Rashford received limited minutes in this competition but was still a trusted and respected part of the team by both the coach and his teammates. This tournament, England progressed to the Finals where they would face Italy.


This competition raised hope amongst the English as they had qualified for the finals in dominant fashion and were only 90 minutes away from ending a 55 year trophy drought. The significance of this game to the population of England was huge due to the fact that football is their most popular sport.


The final ended 1-1 in both regulation and extra time and therefore went to penalty kicks. Rashford along with one of his teammates was subbed on at the very last minute in order to take penalties in the shoot out. 


Rashford missed his penalty and with that, England lost the final in pk’s 3-2. After this result, Rashford received racial abuse and hateful messages from his supporters because missed.


This level of attention is sure to shake up your confidence and even make you doubt your abilities. Without a doubt, the 2020 Euros negatively impacted Rashford’s mental health and his 21-22 Premier league season. 


From personal experience, confidence is the most important aspect for athletic performance. In my progression of soccer, my confidence levels in my own abilities have wavered. 


Entering new situations often causes self reflection and comparisons between yourself and peers. This is especially prevalent in competitions. Despite being invited, I still don’t feel a part of a team until a significant amount of time.


Another aspect that affects the mental health of athletes is injuries. In the professional scene, long-term injuries have players come back and look like a husk of the old player they used to be.


Injuries have haunted me the past 2 years. I tore my MCL last year along with a broken wrist that I just recently had surgery on. These injuries will/have taken me out of activity for months and feels like they take a part of me. 


Being able to play soccer is just as important to me as being a student and are alike in many ways.  In both, I have dedicated time for me to be where I am and each has become a part of my routine. 


Although I don't have a solution to mental health in athletics, I would like to share that to those struggling in the moment, that you can find some consolation in the fact that others have come from similar situations and have risen above the negatives to come back stronger.

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