Why Kaka beats Ronaldo

I loved this op-ed piece - "Some heroes still need to score on the likeability charts" - in today's Financial Times. It reminds me of why I like Cesc Fabregas so much (a footballer Jen, Scout, and I were privileged to meet, albeit briefly).

It's also one reason (There are several) I have so much respect for Kaka.

Kaka is a brilliant footballer but my main memory of him is what a nice chap he was. Strangely, being nice matters, especially for great sportsmen. It is something Cristiano Ronaldo may eventually find out.

When sports journalists reminisce about athletes they have interviewed, they never ask each other: “What did the guy say?” Instead they usually ask: “What was he like?”....

Many great footballers are nice. Their job gives them such happiness, energy and a sense of good fortune, and they are treated so well by most people they meet that they beam upon the world. A German friend of mine interviewed Lionel Messi in Barcelona and reported back that the Argentine had spoken entirely in banalities. But more importantly, said my friend: “What a sweet little man he is!” Messi appreciated that the German had made the sacrifice of trekking all the way to Barcelona. He was eager, almost desperate, to make his guest happy.

Niceness works for coaches too. Frank Rijkaard and Jose Mourinho have both won Champions Leagues, but Rijkaard is possibly the most impressive human being in football, whereas Jose Mourinho is just a great football coach. Or take Guus Hiddink: the main reason players and staff at Chelsea want him back seems to be that they liked him.

Not many seem to like Cristiano [Ronaldo].

He's making so much money, maybe he doesn't care. Some day, however, he likely will. We'll remember Kaka and Messi as players, but also as humans.