Fundación River Plate and BBVA present the final episode of Escuela de Formadores – virtual edition – to share experiences and discuss the importance of learning to enjoy the game. This episode featured the participation of Pablo Aimar, a member of the coaching staff of the Argentine men’s national soccer team and World Cup champion, along with Lucía de la Vega, Executive Director of Fundación River Plate, as the host.
During the talk, Aimar stated: “When they are very young, everything related to playfulness is basic, it’s fundamental. That’s the time when football has to be more of a game than ever. The world has changed; those who are lucky enough to go to a club, at least during the time they spend there, should be more connected with the game—with falling and getting back up, with playing with a balloon and not letting it fall.”
He also added during the talk: “In professional sports, there’s a lot of pressure, and it becomes difficult when you achieve something. At the very least, you have to try to walk the path in peace. The outcome might be favorable only a small percentage of the time, but within the national team, we focused on the journey—on enjoying it, on creating harmony, and then letting whatever is meant to come, come. And that mindset led to everything else.”
He also added: “In football, no one has the perfect formula. We wanted to focus on the process—you’re living your life while preparing for a championship. I believe in that: the process. One thing is clear to me: in any work environment, if there are good people, at least you’ll enjoy the process more.”
He also emphasized the importance of handling defeats: “I don’t like it when everyone is laughing after a loss either. I like it when losing hurts, but the next day, you have to pick yourself back up, start living again, and try again.”
During the meeting, to conclude, Lucía de la Vega asked him, “What do you take away from sports beyond the individual?” Aimar highlighted: “Football, as a pure game, is beautiful. It doesn’t require much, although it does require many people, and football brings them together. It’s a team sport, and it’s where I’ve learned to value those players who, in many cases, don’t even play. They train, cheer for their teammates, and are the ones who build the team. What football teaches you is that you’re not alone—you’re there for your teammates, just as they’re there to cover for your mistakes, and you’re there to help with theirs. If you know your teammates will help you recover the ball, you feel brave enough to try anything.”
For her part, Lucía de la Vega concluded: “It’s important to reflect on people. At Fundación, we always talk about the importance of valuing relationships. These talks are spaces where we can learn from many people who support us to perform better, not just in sports, but by seeking to understand the person behind the athlete.”
Full episode available at: https://youtu.be/4jzkdVUKeiA
