Goatseye said:
What does it mean to choke exactly? |
Being the best player on the planet and failing to make a penalty kick when the finals depends on it is choking. Performing well below your usual levels in the biggest moments of the sport, when everyone is looking at you to deliver the goods - such as in the international finals - is a form of choking.
You cant be the greatest of all time and under perform in the finals again and again and again. You certainly can't be so weak as to miss a penalty kick to seal the deal and then "retire" (quit) to your country because you dont believe in yourself enough to get it done next time. I can guarantee that Maradona would not have quit on his country had he lost a finals on a penalty kick he botched. Messi is not as mentally strong as he is gifted. Compare him to Michael Jordan and the difference in intangibles, killer instinct and ruthless competitiveness are clear. Messi is gifted, but he is simply not a closer and not a killer out on that field.
