The Management of Superstars on the World Stage

The World Cup has always been a stage where greatness is tested—and where even the world’s best players can falter under unimaginable pressure. For every legendary performance, there are moments when superstars freeze, miss decisive penalties, or struggle beneath the weight of global expectation. In this episode, we explore why the modern game is witnessing an era of sustained superstar dominance, examining how elite players are supported both tactically and psychologically to perform on football’s biggest stage. From the physical battles faced by past icons to the mental challenges confronting today’s stars, we trace the evolution of what it takes to thrive under relentless scrutiny. The story reveals that extraordinary talent alone is rarely enough; behind every iconic performance lies a carefully engineered system of trust, leadership, and teamwork designed to help the game's brightest stars shine when the stakes are at their highest.https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/06/30/messi-mbappe-ronaldo-this-world-cup-belongs-to-the-superstars