Exclusive – Everton and Ireland captain Seamus Coleman on Andy Murray’s greatest quality

Wimbledon
Andy Murray celebrates at Wimbledon

Everton captain Seamus Coleman has paid tribute to Andy Murray, suggesting his heroic performances at Wimbledon have highlighted the qualities required to be an elite athlete.

Coleman, who is also captain of the Republic of Ireland national team, watched Murray’s Amazon Prime documentary “Andy Murray: Resurfacing” that chronicled his fight return to the court after a battle with a long-standing hip problem.

While the Scot’s injury woes are still troubling him, he has pulled off a couple of big wins at Wimbledon and Coleman told Tennis365 that the former world No 1 is an inspiration to all who aspire to reach the top of their profession.

Seamus Coleman SPAR ambassador

“To see him back doing what he is doing is incredible,” Coleman told Tennis365, as he promoted SPAR’s Better Choices range.

“I watched the documentary on him when he was trying to come back from his hip problem and it was brilliant. The financial need is not there for him for do what he does, but he still has that desire and that passion to play his sport and try to get back to the top.

“Seeing what he has been doing at Wimbledon this week has been amazing. That drive and will to be a successful sportsperson, you can see that in him.

“It shows what you need to do to get to the top and all the elite sportspeople have it. Ronaldo has shown it in football for many years and it is inspiring. They just want to be the best. They don’t lack for anything financially and yet they still have that competitive spirit and desire to win.

“When you lose that fire in the belly, you may as well give up and these elite sportsmen never know when the time has come to give up.”

Coleman went on to insist the passion to succeed should also be placed ahead of the financial rewards that come with top level sport, as he suggested his drive comes from an eagerness to realise his maximum potential.

“All of us got into sport because we love it,” he added. “I went into football because I have a love for the game, not because I wanted to make lots of money. If you get to the top, the rewards come your way and luckily for me, the desire has never been affected by the money you might get.

“No one should be on a pitch thinking about the money you are making because if that’s your motivation, you probably won’t make he most of the chance you have been given to have a great career in sport.”

SPAR Better Choices ambassador Seamus Coleman has launched SPAR’s Better Choices summer 2021 campaign, bringing healthier food and refreshment options into Irish homes, gardens and parks for all the family to enjoy this summer. SPAR has also created a specially curated online hub at www.spar.ie/betterchoices.

Follow Kevin Palmer on Twitter @RealKevinPalmer

Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.

Andy Murray

Latest