From Accountancy to Counter Attacking

EURO 2024 is in full swing with Germany hosting the 17th European Championship. Running from mid-June to July 14th, the tournament features 24 teams competing in 51 matches across 10 venues, culminating in the final at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. As hosts and favourites, Germany is vying for their first title since their triumph at Euro 96.

The competition includes the usual football powerhouses, from Germany making their 13th appearance to Georgia making their debut. Star players like Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Christian Eriksen, and Jude Bellingham are in action. Cristiano Ronaldo is making history with his record 6th Euros appearance, while his teammate Pepe becomes the oldest player to compete at 41. Meanwhile, Spain’s Lamine Yamal becomes the youngest ever player to compete at the Euros at just 16.

But have you ever thought about what footballers want to do once they retire? Not everyone becomes a pundit or manager. Some become detectives, biochemists, tattooists, retailers, or even accountants. But what about their lives before they were noticed as players?

Take France’s N’Golo Kante, for example. Born in Paris in 1991 and named after King Ngolo Diarra of the Bamana Empire, Kante’s favourite players growing up were Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Diego Maradona. At 21, while playing for Boulogne, he earned a qualification in accounting, balancing his passion for football with a practical career path.

Kante’s football journey has been extraordinary. He has played 370 club matches for five clubs, including Chelsea and Leicester, where he won Premiership titles. He has also played 57 matches for France with that number set to rise during this tournament. Scoring 23 goals and establishing himself as a top defensive midfielder, his trophy cabinet includes the FA Cup, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. He was also a key player in France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad.

In the opening encounter of EURO 2024 against Austria, Kante was awarded Player of the Match in a 1-0 victory. By the end of the game, he was handed the captain’s armband. In the second group match, a goalless draw against the Netherlands, he again earned Player of the Match honours.

Kante’s role is crucial yet understated. He is tasked with stopping the opposition’s attacks anywhere on the pitch and then launching his own team’s movement forward before the opposition can organize. This ability to be wherever the danger is, or rather, a second before it arises, is what sets Kante apart. He isn’t focused on scoring goals or necessarily passing to the scorer. His job is to anticipate, intercept, pass, and anticipate again. As France’s coach Didier Deschamps said, “He is an essential part of our plan. Kante uses the ball, he has a lot of trajectories for his passing.”

Deschamps’ praise underscores Kante’s unique skill set. Deschamps, once labelled a “water carrier” by Eric Cantona for his unglamorous but vital role, sees Kante as the ultimate “water collector and carrier,” the ultimate firefighter on the pitch. Marcel Desailly humorously tweeted in 2017, “71% of the earth is covered by water. The rest is covered by N’Golo Kante.”

Kante’s playstyle enables swift counterattacks. Leicester City’s game plan, centered around the speed of striker Jamie Vardy, relied on Kante’s ability to quickly turn defense into offense. France employs a similar tactic with Kylian Mbappe. Kante’s talent for transforming a threatening move against his team into a threatening move by his team, in the shortest possible time, is invaluable.

In a sport increasingly defined by complex systems and formations, Kante keeps things simple. While the game celebrates its goalscorers, dribblers, and creative geniuses, Kante minds the baseline. He never became the accountant he studied to be, but on the field, he ensures his team stats and figures remain positive.

Had he not become a footballer, Kante’s career in accounting would have provided stability and a clear path forward. Accountancy offers numerous benefits: it is a respected profession with diverse opportunities, providing financial security and the chance to develop analytical skills. The precision and foresight required in accounting mirror Kante’s footballing style—anticipating plays and making strategic decisions. This mindset highlights how skills from one field can translate into success in another. Whether Kante returns to accountancy or not, the discipline and strategic thinking he learned have contributed to his exceptional career on the pitch.

Studying accountancy opens doors to a stable and rewarding career. Accountants are essential in every industry, providing financial insights and ensuring business operations run smoothly. The skills gained, such as analytical thinking and strategic planning, are highly valued and transferable. Accountancy offers job security, competitive salaries, and career advancement opportunities. Whether you aim to work for a corporation, non-profit, or start your own business, a background in accountancy provides a solid foundation for success.

Invest in your future by studying with Accountancy Learning and unlock your potential in the world of finance.

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