In Good Conscience

Violent reaction shows Ribery as flawed, and fading, genius

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Sport at its most compelling requires us to put off the ageing process for as long as possible and, whether player or fan, to hold on to the child within us.

The exceptionally gifted youngster allowed to do whatever the imagination tells him or her is beyond coaching.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 17, 2018, with the headline Violent reaction shows Ribery as flawed, and fading, genius. Subscribe