In 6 months time the biggest football tournament on the planet kicks off in South Africa where 32 nations from 6 different confederations. The holders Italy will be looking to defend the cup but to do so they must become the first European nation to win a finals hosted outside of Europe. Brazil and Argentina will provide the biggest competition outside of Europe with England, Portugal, Germany and France providing the biggest competition within. And of course the European Champions Spain. A lot of eyes will be falling on them as they will be one of the favourites. One young man wants to be part of that squad. The management want him to be there. The nation want him to be there. But it looks likely he won't. So much desire on all fronts but even that cocktail of motivation falls short of what is required.
Jesús Navas (González)is an exciting 24 year old football playing for one of Spain's top club sides, Sevilla. He is a troubled soul who has had the world at his feet for a number of years but been held back due to what is termed as chronic homesickness. As a youngster he had to train in Murcia, which is about 500km from Sevilla, and after a few days he suffered from bad anxiety attacks which forced him home. Later with his club he was in Huelva which like Sevilla is in Andalucía and less than 100km away. Here he suffered so bad from anxiety attacks that his father had to come and drive him home. His talent brought attention from Chelsea FC and while Sevilla agreed to sell Navas he refused to go because of his problem. Finally he quit international football which must have been gutting considering his dream was to play for the senior side. There has been a lot of sympathy for the footballer but some of his team mates have not been understanding. Some have even had a go at him in the press. One in particular said he should 'act like a man'.
It makes you wonder though. Here is a man who wants something. Lots of other people want it too. He has the drive and motivation to do it. He has the money to do it. He has the medical help at hand to do being part of a large football club. Every element is there for the best possible chance of a recovery and still he has struggled on unable to overcome his problem. So why not? Personally I think it just goes to show that there is an element that is beyond out control no matter how much we have at our disposal. That element is the fact that there is no definitive path to recovery and these anxiety related conditions are still poorly researched.
Well there is good news. Young Navas made his debut for the Spanish national team in Madrid last month playing 10 minutes. A few days later he played a whole 45 minutes for Spain in Vienna. It would appear that things are going in the right direction but only time will tell whether he will be in South Africa in 6 months time from now. He has at least given himself a chance. I for one hope after all he has been through he finally realises his dream and I hope the rest of us do too.
