DonAndres
Wild Man of Borneo
I'd get the criticism on Valdes if he was outright complaining about his privilege but there is no part of that interview that shows him being superficial and shallow. He's not complaining about his salary or that he doesn't have enough luxury. I know plenty of spoiled rich kids that irk me with that sort of behavior but this isn't that at all.
Valdes' interview is easily one of the most honest and conscious interviews I've ever seen from a footballer. He delves into all of his experiences and perceptions, good and bad. He literally even discusses the disparity between the 'regular world' and the one that footballers experience, admitting that he's lived a very fortunate life. The depression is due to his injury and doing something he never truly felt settled in (never mind the salary for one second). I can empathize with that, there are plenty of high-paying career paths I would never consider simply because the experience would not sit well with me on a day in, day out basis. Feeling external pressures in a world like Valdes' is very real and that's what he would trade for a more normal life.
He says he's experienced some amazing things but that he wouldn't do it again if given the chance to go back. I can respect that. He's not whining, he's not bitching, he's simply reflecting on everything about his career (in a somber tone). He did so with more honesty and self-awareness than I have seen with 99.99% of footballers or celebrities. Some people would be ecstatic and ever-appreciative in his position, some would be ecstatic just to have a stable income. Others have different temperaments and priorities, Valdes just happens to be a more 'blues' type person. You're allowed to have dissatisfaction at any level in life, more often than not it's an internal issue and mostly independent of money. Otherwise none of us would have the ethical right to complain about anything at all given that we have computers and the luxury to visit sports forums while some kids in Africa are soon to be food for buzzards.
Valdes' interview is easily one of the most honest and conscious interviews I've ever seen from a footballer. He delves into all of his experiences and perceptions, good and bad. He literally even discusses the disparity between the 'regular world' and the one that footballers experience, admitting that he's lived a very fortunate life. The depression is due to his injury and doing something he never truly felt settled in (never mind the salary for one second). I can empathize with that, there are plenty of high-paying career paths I would never consider simply because the experience would not sit well with me on a day in, day out basis. Feeling external pressures in a world like Valdes' is very real and that's what he would trade for a more normal life.
He says he's experienced some amazing things but that he wouldn't do it again if given the chance to go back. I can respect that. He's not whining, he's not bitching, he's simply reflecting on everything about his career (in a somber tone). He did so with more honesty and self-awareness than I have seen with 99.99% of footballers or celebrities. Some people would be ecstatic and ever-appreciative in his position, some would be ecstatic just to have a stable income. Others have different temperaments and priorities, Valdes just happens to be a more 'blues' type person. You're allowed to have dissatisfaction at any level in life, more often than not it's an internal issue and mostly independent of money. Otherwise none of us would have the ethical right to complain about anything at all given that we have computers and the luxury to visit sports forums while some kids in Africa are soon to be food for buzzards.
