Patrick Skene’s Post

Empathy is the greatest superpower! Amidst the fever of his country's qualification for the Copa America final, Argentina keeper Emilio Martinez decided not to celebrate with his teammates and instead chose to console his opposite number, Ecuador's Alexander Dominguez. Glad to see the goalkeeper's fraternity is strong and Martinez knows that the football gods move in strange and mysterious ways and it could easily have been him. Martinez is a polarising character, an uber competitive player that will do whatever it takes to deliver his country a victory in the heat of battle. In this case, his mask slipped and we glimpsed his humanity and respect. The beautiful game strikes again. #CopaAmérica #DibuRespect #BonitoGesto Credit: Vivo

#ItsComingHome Credit: 1899INE

Goosebumps! Great to see the Rainbow Nation in full colour last weekend in Loftus Stadium in Pretoria in this incredible version of the South African anthem 'Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika' as 'Mandela's children' sang five language versions (isiXhosa, IsiZulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans and English). It was South Africa's first home match since their 2023 World Cup victory and their joyous and emotional fans were in fine voice, cheering their side home to a 27-20 win over Ireland. For the first time the country's 12th official language, South African Sign Language, was featured in the anthem led by 12-year-old Lisa Mkandla, a pupil at St Vincent School for the Deaf. The anthem was magnificently led by South African actress and singer KB Motsilanyane, who hit every note perfectly and raised her mic and let the crowd roar the final three verses culminating in the loudest line, 'call to come together, and united we shall stand'. The grandstand banner at Loftus Stadium read: 'hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie', which translates to 'They don't know what we know', and refers to South Africa's challenges, adversity and underdog status that is overridden by the team's unity and never say die attitude in playing for a greater cause. South Africa continues to face complex historical and social challenges and although there is still much work to be done, the country has come a long way since the apartheid days. And while the politicians fail to bring unity, it's great to see rugby bringing the nation together under a great leader in Siya Kolisi. The power of sport in full bloom! #RainbowNation #Bokke #Mzanzi Credit: Sky Sport

It's the little moments that can last a lifetime. Love this effort from Cam Murray to bring joy to this Rabbitohs diehard with a simple selfie request. Murray has been a revelation on field for South Sydney since his debut in 2017 and he has won hearts off the field with his authenticity and positive attitude to fans. "We are a family club!" Murray said on re-signing with Souths. "Respect to the true members and fans out there who ride the highs and lows with us." Great to see him leading through example and living his values and like so many rugby league players he understands the power and impact of a small investment of his time. The people's game strikes again! #CaptainCourageous #Bunnies🐰 Credit: South Sydney Rabbitohs

Victory comes to the prepared! I've always enjoyed the cat and mouse game between goal keepers and penalty takers and great to see English keeper Jordan Pickford's elite level of homework on his drink bottle, his player by player intel titled 'Switzerland Penalty Takers List' including instructions like 'Fake left, dive right.' Advanced reverse psychology skills are vital for elite level keepers and they come fully prepared with data to maximise their chances. Goalkeepers have always done their homework - once upon a time it was a spruiker yelling instructions, then a scrap of paper, then written on the gloves, down the shin pads and now on the drink bottle. This level of research being publicly known (and deliberately leaked) can make penalty takers doubtful and flighty and start them second guessing and overthinking, particularly in high pressure situations. Pickford saved one out of five, but it was a crucial save and enough to send England into the semi finals. Curiously, he dived right against Fabian Schar, when the instructions on his bottle clearly said 'dive left'. Pickord showed the unpredictable element of human instinct that the algorithm will never understand. A salute to Pickford and all Goalkeepers for constantly evolving and providing a reminder that consistent success doesn't happen by accident. #Rashford #Data #Preparation Credit: SkySport

A beautiful moment from Copa America! Even the great ones miss and wonderful to see Ecuador goalkeeper, Alexander Dominguez consoling Lionel Messi after his Panenka penalty miss. Dominguez said after the match: “Messi missing his penalty doesn't diminish his greatness; that's why I went to console him.” All class and Alexander knows that the end of Messi's career is near and shows respect accordingly. Beyond stats and medals, the human element of sport is what is remembered. #Legend #Brotherhood Credit: hn.pnjno1

"Try to enjoy it. It will be gone before you know it" Andy Murray has been a wonderful servant of tennis, a humble, iconic member of 'The big 4' and unlucky to be playing at the same time as three all time greats of the game. He managed to win 3 Grand Slams and two Olympic Gold medals and can look back at his career with great pride. Love this moment of reflection looking back at his first Wimbledon. Although he played a lot of his career in pain from a recurring hip injury he brought joy to millions and always played with heart, humour, class and dignity. Tennis will be poorer for your absence. #Andy #KindaDustyInHere Credit: Wimbledon

The apple never falls far from the tree! Love the sweet historical symmetry of Mikel Merino's last gasp winning goal for Spain against Germany, 33 years apart from his father's match winning goal in the same stadium in Stuttgart and featuring the same celebration! "He has outdone me, he's determined to make me look bad, this was the only thing I had left!", joked proud father Angel Miguel Merino after the match. Merino Senior, who played more than 200 La Liga games, scored a memorable goal for Osasuna in the 1991 UEFA Cup to propel his club to a 3-2 victory over Stuttgart and into the Round of 16. His son Mikel waited until the death to score his goal and show his respect for his father, heading the brilliant winner with 65 seconds of extra time remaining and lead Spain to a 2-1 victory and a place in the EURO 24 semi finals. With adrenaline overload, it's amazing that Mikel could remember to emulate his father's circling around the corner post with clenched fists and screaming to the Stuttgart sky. “We had talked about this,” Angel Merino said. “It’s a special moment and you get emotional and this is much more important than it was when I scored here. I loved this moment almost more than my own." After the game father and son laughed about the goal and celebration with Mikel Merino's first words to his father: "Another goal in Stuttgart, eh?" The beautiful game strikes again. #LikeFatherLikeSon #QueMaravilha Credit: EURO 2024/ UEFA CUP 1991

Kinda dusty in here! He may have won 33 senior titles, 5 Ballon d'Ors & hold the record for EURO goals but Cristiano Ronaldo is still his mother's boy. Emotional scenes in Frankfurt after he missed an extra time penalty against Slovenia and embraced by teammate Diogo Dalot, Cristiano breaks down in tears at feeling he disappointed her, his teammates and millions of Portugal fans. His mother Dolores was watching on in the stands and she broke down, watching her son's struggle. Great to see the 39 year old's teammates rally behind him in support and fighting for him, like he has fought so many times for them. All was well in the end as Portugal won on penalties and progressed to the quarter finals, keeping the dream alive. ** A journalist once asked Cristiano Ronaldo why he still lives with his mother and he answered: "My mother raised me by sacrificing her life for me. She slept hungry so I could eat." "We had no money at all. She worked 7 days a week as a cleaner to buy my first boots so that I could be a player, my complete success is dedicated to her." "As long as I live, she will always be by my side and have everything I can give her." ** Whilst some fans have questioned Cristiano's form and age in EURO 2024, Portugal's coach Roberto Martinez is in no doubt of his superstar's contribution, calling his leadership: "a constant example." "Cristiano showed that in life and in football there are difficult moments and we can't give up." said Martinez. "It was a demonstration of what to do when things aren't going well." When Cristiano Ronaldo was interviewed after the Slovenia match he spoke about the missed penalty. "I felt sadness at first and happiness in the end but thats what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments." "Those who fail are those who try," he continued. "Without a doubt, this is my last Euro cup. But what moves me is not that - it is everything that comes with football." "The enthusiasm I feel when I play, watching my followers, my family, the love that people have for me..." "Making them happy is what motivates me the most." After all his achievements it's amazing to see such passion and vulnerability as he tries to squeeze the last out of his legs for his country and his mother. He will be missed. The beautiful game strikes again. #Passion #Legend #TheManInTheArena Credit: EURO 2024

“It’s no good being successful if you can’t find time for people.” There's no school like the old school and love these life principles from Roy Keane who distills the essence of life as spending time with friends and family. The former Man Utd and Ireland hardman is brilliant on 'The Overlap' podcast including trying to get his workaholic mate Gary Neville to smell the roses and enjoy his success with his colleagues. Roy was disliked by many as a player and succumbed to the red mists at times, but his timeless values off the field made him a great captain and teammate and someone you would want in your life. It's no surprise that Roy Kent, the gruff, tough character with a heart of gold in Ted Lasso, was partly based on Roy Keane. I didn't see Roy Keane becoming a comedian/street philosopher but it goes to show that people have many dimensions and can evolve through life's stages. #Keano #ShowUp #Balance #ThePeoplesPoet Credit: The Overlap