The weight of expectations took a toll on him from "summary" of Maradona by Guillem Balague
The weight of expectations, as heavy as an anvil, burdened him from a young age. It wasn't just the hopes of his family, his friends, his neighborhood that weighed on his slender shoulders. It was the weight of a nation desperate for a hero, a savior, a miracle worker who could bring them glory on the world stage. Every time he stepped onto the pitch, every time he kicked a ball, every time he made a move, he knew that he was carrying the dreams and desires of millions. And as the pressure mounted, as the stakes grew higher, as the scrutiny became more intense, he found himself struggling to bear the load.
The expectations were relentless, unyielding, unforgiving. They demanded perfection, excellence, greatness in every touch, every pass, every shot. They left no room for mistakes, no margin for error, no space for imperfection. And as he faltered, as he stumbled, as he fell short of the impossible standards set for him, the weight grew heavier, the toll more severe.
It wasn't just the external expectations that took a toll on him. It was also the internal pressure, the self-imposed standards, the personal demons that haunted him day and night. The fear of failure, the fear of letting others down, the fear of not living up to his own potential all gnawed at his soul, all gnawed at his spirit, all gnawed at his sanity.
And so, as he battled on the field, as he fought against opponents, as he grappled with injuries, as he strove for victory, he also fought an internal battle, a battle against the weight of expectations that threatened to crush him, to break him, to destroy him. And in the end, the toll was too much to bear, the burden too heavy to carry, the price too high to pay.
