I had the opportunity to be in the three matches that the Sele lost in the World Cup in Germany.
When we were eliminated in the last game against Poland, it was embarrassing to listen with astonishment to the Tico fans chanting “Peeeerras, peeeerras…” when we lost.
In the meantime, the stadium was full of angry Poles who supported their team until the end of the 2-1 defeat, even though they were also on their way back home that same June 20, 2006.
Eight years later I had the chance to attend a World Cup match, when Costa Rica facedthe great Dutch team in thequarterfinals in Salvador, Bahia. Having become the “giant-killers”, we had no doubt for a second that the Sele could win again and reach the semifinals.
On this occasion, we were the Ticas and Ticos, convinced that we had the obligation to be player #12 at the top of our lungs. In fact, I will never forget the young natural leader we had in front of us, who with tricolor passion ignited like a rocket in the direction of space, with the homeland on his chest reminded us: “We didn’t come here to take a walk, let’s support #√∑€∞ Ω€¥*{!… get up! let’s go! you need us! Oeee, oeee, oeee, oeee…”
Thus the members of the Sele were received as national heroes, extolling virtues and conditions achieved by these wonderful boys, their leadership and support team, on behalf of all Costa Rica. The celebration will go down in history as one never seen before.
Yesterday the Sele filled us with pride once again by winning the Uncaf Cup, with Paulo César Wanchope as Technical Director, as well as with many new players, consolidating itself as the Central American soccer power and a great promise for Russia in 2018.
Now then, how much can we transfer from soccer to life? Perhaps it is a good time to recognize that we all have our own game to play. And for this reason, it might be a good idea to apply what the Sele teaches us to our daily lives.
If we do not do so, we could run the risk of always being observers. The option is to choose to be the protagonists of our own success stories, which is why I think there is much to learn from the Sele.
Here are 5 of the many lessons learned from the Sele. In the comments section below, could you add yours? It would be great if together we could share what we have learned. Here are my first conclusions.
The road to success is full of failures. Perhaps the first great lesson that the Sele brings us is precisely that in order to win you have to know how to lose. It is quite possibly true that losing is a prerequisite for winning. If we are in defeat today, let’s raise our eyes because we are surely on the right path.
Nothing is gained by booing. If the match lasts 90 minutes and we are among the majority, in the stadium or in front of the TV, nothing is gained by criticizing, jeering, sawing the floor to one or the other. This goes for soccer as well as for our governors, for the company or institution where we work, it goes for any team.
We all like to be part of a winning team. Ticas and Ticos in the country and in the world walk full of pride, because the Sele has taught us to applaud, to recognize the talent in others, to subordinate the individual interest for the collective. It is clear: we win more if we all win.
To score goals you have to kick at the goal. It is also true that we must train, have discipline, faith, patience, vision, a lot of sweat and work. Or is there anyone out there seriously thinking of becoming a millionaire playing the lottery? Just getting to be part of the Sele requires a lot of sacrifice, and so in life, you can’t expect anything for free.
What is celebrated is repeated. The national celebration, multitudinous, euphoric and unparalleled in the history of the country in any field, only anticipates many more triumphs to come. Can we transfer the spirit of recognition, applause, rejoicing and celebration to other fields? I am sure we can do it also to the government, to our family, to the department we are part of or the community we live in.
It would be great if some would write books, if young people would produce videos, if professionals would add their presentations. We need the national memory to be translated into pragmatic learning, into new habits, attitudes, ways of collaborating and thus forming a new Costa Rican character.
Much can be added and reflected upon to translate the Sele’s triumphs into the triggers we needed to win in our lives. Here I will include a few more notes in brief:
Success follows vision (goals, money, votes too).
No one player is better than the whole team together.
It is good to recognize the talent of others.
Costa Rica can be a country of people who applaud.
Dream, think, do and celebrate.
Adversity is a great motivation.
Discipline and hard work pay.
It’s better when it’s fun.
No one likes to be yelled at.
More is accomplished when there is trust.
As it should be, let’s close with a transcendental message like many of the ones we can learn from a good commercial.
And you, with the humility that learning requires, what has the Sele taught you?
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