By Olalekan Shoyinka (Ayinla Egba)
Whether you call it football or soccer, the sport offers more than just entertainment—it’s a rich source of life lessons for those who watch closely. Every match contains elements of strategy, perseverance, risk, failure, and triumph. Life, in many ways, mirrors football: plan your days like a manager prepares his squad; stay adaptable, just like a coach with a Plan B; and even when things don’t go as planned, never give up. Above all, like football, life rewards those who dare.
As a rare type of fan—one without allegiance to any single club—I enjoy the game for the wisdom it offers rather than the wins or losses. For people like me, every match is a classroom. And last night’s Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur was no exception. Two major lessons stood out.
1. Some Relationships Are Meant to End—for the Better
At the beginning of the 2023/24 season, Harry Kane—Tottenham Hotspur’s all-time top scorer and a club legend—finally got his wish to leave the North London. Having previously been denied an exit, he moved to Bayern Munich to pursue what had long eluded him: silverware. And he got it. In his second season in Germany, he lifted the first major trophy of his career.
Meanwhile, back in England, Spurs seemed to spiral early on. They endured one of their worst domestic runs in years. But fate had other plans. Against all odds, Tottenham went on to win their first European title in 17 years. The captain’s armband Kane left behind was picked up by his former strike partner, the ever-reliable Son Heung-min. Like Kane, Son had also never won a major trophy until now. Both men—apart but successful—finally broke their personal curses.
This is a powerful reminder: not all partnerships are meant to last forever. Sometimes, growth and success only come after letting go. If Kane had stayed, perhaps neither he nor the club would have tasted victory this season. The separation, painful as it may have been, proved to be a blessing in disguise.
2. To Dare Is To Do
Before the match, Tottenham had not won a major trophy in about two decades. They faced a formidable opponent in Manchester United, a team that was just one game away from completing an unbeaten Europa League campaign. The odds and history were not in Tottenham’s favour.
United’s midfield general, Casemiro, was dubbed “The Final Boss” by fans. He had previously played in eight European finals and won seven of them. His presence alone inspired confidence among the Red Devils faithfuls. But Tottenham had their own talisman—Argentinian defender Cristian “Cuti” Romero, who had played in five finals and won them all.
While pundits cited stats and records favouring United, Tottenham fans drew hope from Romero’s winning streak and the fact that United hadn’t beaten Spurs since October 2022.
Then there’s the Ange Postecoglou factor. The Australian coach, known for his fearless style and belief in long-term growth, confidently declared before the season: “I don’t usually win things in my second season—I always do.” Last night, he delivered on that promise. Despite sitting 17th in the Premier League with one game to go, Tottenham defied all odds and won a major European trophy. Next season, they’ll be back in the UEFA Champions League.
That victory was not just about football. It was about belief, boldness, and self-trust. Postecoglou reminded us all: never stop believing in yourself, even when the odds are stacked high.
In life, as in football, daring to dream and daring to act often lead to glory.
Olalekan Shoyinka (Ayinla Egba) is a broadcast journalist based in Abeokuta.