Zidane

The world has more talent than those who are fortunate enough to get acknowledged. Only those that circumstance allows to find a spot on the world stage to perform at a sufficiently significant level, have a shot at achieving legendary greatness.

Zinedine Zidane had earned himself such a spot.

On July 9, 2006, at the final of the world cup soccer, the stage was set for a super-talented player to show his magic, and retire in style.

After setting a great example of playing well, leading his team effectively through the tournament, and in the final, orchestrating his team to a good, offensive game, converting a penalty kick, and barely missing a header that Italy’s keeper saved, Zidane then head-butted against an Italian defender and got himself ejected with a red card.

No matter what Marco Materazzi said to Zidane, and however much it might have hurt him, Zidane needed to rise above everything in that critical moment.

Sad, sad ending to a great career, and a disappointing letdown from a leader who was all set to create a legend that would travel from generation to generation.

This story, too, will travel.

It will travel as a cautionary tale of how you cannot afford to be human, once the stage is set.