Fear Was Keeping Him Quiet — Now Enzo Fernández Plays Free
Enzo Fernández is lighting up the World Cup right now. In the quarterfinals against Egypt, he scored the game-winning goal in the 92nd minute–heading home a cross by teammate Lauturo Martinez after Argentina trailed 0-2 up until the 79th minute of the game. Desperation could have hooked the entire Argentine team. Instead, they headed to the semifinals to play England.
A repeat of the quarterfinals match, they were down again against England 0-1 in the semifinals, and Fernández struck again in the 85th minute with an equalizer from outside the box off a Messi assist. Argentina prevailed late–again–and is headed to the finals against Spain on Sunday.
What’s behind his composure in big moments? A conversation back in April offers us a glimpse. In that interview, Fernández discussed his use of a sports psychologist to support him with his mental health journey–primarily to take the pressure off the high expectations he has for himself and the ones placed on him because of his position as one of the top midfielders to play the game. He now claims it’s so beneficial he can’t give it up. “Many times, fear and anxiety prevent you from fully expressing yourself. I think it’s a very important part not just of being happy, but of enjoying life. I had many fears. I’m also a very devout believer in God, and today I feel much more prepared to express myself, both on and off the field."
Mental performance training has a stigma–even with elite athletes like Enzo sharing their support of it. Many young athletes–especially males–consider themselves weak for needing support in how they approach and respond to pressure, how they talk to themselves, and how they handle mistakes.
That stigma often starts early, shaped by the very people–coaches, teachers, parents, older siblings– teaching us how to handle pressure in the first place. Our response when we don’t make the team we want, make a mistake, or get a bad call is a direct result of our lived experiences–not a choice but a habit. And over time, the body reacts to similar stressors in ways that aren’t always intentional, but innate.
Like Fernández, many of us are unaware that these behavioral habits formed from circumstances in our past–and we can change them. If your parents struggle with your mistakes or critique you after every game, that’s what you start doing when they’re not even around. Your brain learned this pattern, and your system needs a reset.
The job of a mental performance coach is to show you the options. To help you see what happens in your mind and body when you feel the pressure or make the mistake, so instead of returning to those old patterns, you become aware and choose a better option–you move toward the person you want to be.
Imagine if, in the 92nd and 85th minute of those games, Fernández had gotten hooked by his fear and anxiety instead of utilizing the awareness he’s worked to build. Argentina might not be defending its World Cup title. That’s what mental performance work builds: not the absence of fear and anxiety, but the ability to be exactly who you want to be–in spite of it.
Stay tuned for next week: A follow-up—what happens after the away move. How do we own real mistakes, atone for them, and still move back toward the person we want to be?
