There’s something about Valencia striker Edinson Cavani that’s at odds with the footballer stereotype, despite him being picture-perfect in his role. Not only handsome but hugely talented, he’s everything the media would have us believe a player should be.
So, what is it that sets him apart?
A footballer extraordinaire
After Uruguay's swift exit from the World Cup, Cavani's focus will likely be on spearheading Valencia's attack to help them qualify for Europe. You can take advantage
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That’s because Cavani has some impressive accolades to his name. Having now played in five countries – for some of the biggest clubs in the world – he’s partaken in 785 games, scored 434 goals, and won an incredible 26 trophies.
Yet according to him, a football pitch is not where he’s at his happiest. He
recently made a bold statement to The Guardian, claiming he doesn’t “fully fit with modern football.” It’s an incongruous claim for such a high-profile player to make, and yet reading his essay, we have to agree with him.
Despite the many glamorous cities, he’s stayed in, his heart remains in Salto, the city of his birth. Born to an Uruguayan striker, the young Edinson's love of the game was instilled in him from an early age. To Cavani, the game is more than a sport; it is an art form – one he feels incredibly passionate about. He believes that to be successful, a player has to be disciplined, dedicated, and competitive.
What’s different about Cavani is he sees the game through an almost philosophical lens. In his view, “Football is time and space”. He’s seemingly disinterested in the fame and luxury that comes with his profession; his drive is the desire to push himself to the limit, mentally and physically.
A man of culture and learning
There’s a stereotype that would have us believe that while footballers are physically blessed, they’re lacking on an intellectual level. Cavani turns this on its head.
This is a man of culture, who delights as much in describing his
trip to Monet’s house in Paris as he does in recounting the matches he’s played in and the goals he’s scored.
While it’s clear football is his great passion, it doesn’t consume him. Cavani has forged a personality outside of it: one that thrives on nature, culture, and simplicity. He laments, "The only thing football doesn’t allow me is to be where I like more often: out in the countryside.”
He actively rejects many of the trappings of his role, describing himself as “Atypical, maybe.” He makes it clear that while his impressive career has afforded him many opportunities, he retains a simple way of life.
So, what does this make him? One could argue “inspirational”. Certainly, Cavani must be a more positive role model for all the young men and women who enjoy the sport than those who are in it merely for the money. If we all adopted his attitude to life, rather than pining for the false narratives we see over and over on Instagram, perhaps we’d be happier for it.