Stan Smith once said, “Experience tells you what to do; confidence allows you to do it.” In professional sports, all athletes are without question talented and experienced. However, some athletes stand out from the rest and have the ability to play their best when it matters the most. These athletes not only train themselves physically, but mentally as well to gain that competitive edge. The most important aspect of their mental strength comes from their confidence. Confidence is what allows these athletes to become leaders on the field and shine in the spotlight. After doing research here are my five most confident athletes in professional sports:
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5. Serena Williams
There aren’t too many female professional athletes that radiate pure dominant confidence, but Serena Williams is definitely one of them. Like the other athletes on this list, Williams takes the spotlight in her sport. Serena has spent a long time being ranked first in the world in women’s tennis. She also makes more money than almost every other female athlete. It is easy to see Serena’s confidence on the court because she plays with such fierce passion. She wears her heart on her sleeve and is definitely not afraid to show emotion.
4. Kobe Bryant
Is there any athlete in sports that appears more confident than Kobe Bryant? There is no getting in Kobe’s head on the basketball court. He may miss 10 shots in a row, but you know that he will not be afraid to keep shooting. He is constantly criticized by the media for being a selfish player, but he will claim that it is purely self-confidence. Kobe has been the face of the NBA thriving in the high-pressure environment of Los Angeles for years. He has won multiple championships and MVP’s and will continue to break records in upcoming seasons.
3. Lionel Messi
Soccer is the world’s most popular sport, watched by millions around the world everyday. In today’s world, the face of soccer has become Lionel Messi. Messi is the star of FC Barcelona, which is one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world. Exuding confidence is second nature for Messi who plays in front of a home stadium of 100,000 screaming fans each game. When you take a first glance at Lionel Messi, he does not appear to be a professional athlete. At only 5’7” tall, Messi takes on players each game that make him look like a child. This does not bother him at all though; instead he uses his quickness as an advantage.
2. LeBron James
The spotlight is on LeBron James more than any other athlete in sports. No matter what he does, there is no way he can please everyone. He gets praised and criticized for the media with every decision he makes. Speaking of decisions, LeBron had the confidence to host a television special just to announce what team he would be playing for. LeBron is arguably more confident now than he has ever been before. He has now won Olympic medals, MVP’s, and NBA Championships. When LeBron went to Miami there were questions about who would be the leader between himself and Dwayne Wade. That question has clearly been answered, King James will tell you that himself.
1. Peyton Manning
Confidence and preparation go hand in hand. When an athlete is prepared for a challenge, why wouldn’t he be confident? Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning prepares more than arguably any other professional athlete. Manning’s incredible work ethic has enabled him to become one of the most knowledgeable players in the NFL. For years in Indianapolis, the Colts were able to thrive with a no-huddle offense because of Manning. He had the ability to read defense at the line of scrimmage and adjust the play calls if needed. Lastly, Manning has had to deal with more than his fair share of injuries in his career. Manning has overcome multiple neck surgeries and still has the confidence to take the field each week; his career could be ended with only one hit every time he drops back to pass.
