In fact, comparison is not just a matter of football, but a very typical slice of life. Do you dare to swear that you have never had any comparisons? Probably not, because comparison is almost an instinct. The most famous, easiest to remember and most passed down for generations is probably "other people's child".
Comparison, in essence, is not a sin at all. It only creates subsequent reactions depending on the purpose of "comparation for what". From a positive perspective, comparison can provide direction. For example, looking from the 2018 AFC U23 Championship runner-up, people see fighting spirit, cohesion, and the ability to surpass the mark. Like a mirror, these are valuable values worth learning, worth referring to.
But the problem begins when comparison becomes evaluation. When it is not yet known where the current U23 generation will go in the tournament, believing that they are "not as good as their seniors" creates pressure. Leading to the fact that instead of positive motivation, they are under the pressure of achievement (at least the runner-up is equal). It becomes a burden.
Life is also like that, a child growing up under words like "in the past, grandparents, parents were the same age as me..." often does not activate motivation but is surrounded by anxiety. When comparisons are imposed, lack context or only aim to find out "who is better than whom", it easily turns into heavy psychological pressure. For individuals, comparing themselves to others easily leads to feelings of inferiority, self-doubt, even mental exhaustion, distorting how people perceive self-worth.
Mismatched comparisons are still dangerous in that they ignore the context. It is impossible to take the old mold to impose on future generations. It is also impossible to take the success of others to deny their own journey. Each person, each collective has a different starting point, conditions and pace of development.
When comparison comes with understanding, respect for differences and long-term vision, it can nurture motivation. Conversely, comparison is only to serve temporary emotions, arguments or extreme expectations, the consequences left behind are often not small. Of course, it does not affect the person who makes the comparison...
