The other day, I had the absolute honor of watching my son train with Nani. Yes, that Nani.
The football legend who:
- Played 11 years for the Portugal National Team
- Spent 8 seasons wearing Manchester United colors
- And dominated elite clubs across the globe
And after the session, Nani opened the floor for questions.
What he shared wasn’t just about football.
It was about business, life, and winning at the highest level.
Now, whether or not you’ve ever kicked a ball in your life, I promise you can learn something from Nani—especially if you’re in the trenches cold calling day in and day out.
Here are the three lessons that hit me hardest, and how you can apply them starting NOW to close more deals, lead with conviction, and take your sales career to the next level.
RELATED: How to Cultivate a Winning mindset to Succeed in Sales
- BELIEF — Before Anyone Believed in Him, He Believed in Himself
Nani said something that day that every sales pro needs to remember:
“Before anyone believed in me… I believed in me.”
Think about that for a second.
Before the scouts noticed…
Before the newspaper headlines…
Before the stadiums chanted his name…
He knew exactly where he was headed.
That’s the mentality of a world-class athlete. And that’s the same mentality required to be a rockstar SDR or top-tier closer.
But unfortunately, many reps are waiting for validation:
- A better lead list
- A new title
- Someone to “give them a shot”
But champions don’t wait for proof. They become the proof.
If you don’t believe in your own voice, your own pitch, your own ability to lead a prospect into a better future… why should they?
Your belief is the product. And the world buys conviction.
RELATED: The 2025 Playbook – 5 Proven Sales Strategies to Dominate the B2B Market
- DISCIPLINE — Show Up When No One’s Watching
This was the real game-changer in Nani’s life.
He didn’t credit his talent…
He didn’t talk about his genetics…
And he never mentioned luck…
His mental game orbited around one word only: Discipline.
He said, “It’s easy to give 100% when you feel great. But can you do it when you’re tired? When you’re unmotivated? When no one’s watching?”
In the same way, every B2B sales rep has a choice every morning. Will you wait for motivation?
Or will you dig deep, find the motivation, and take massive action?
After all, greatness isn’t built when the whistle blows under stadium lights. It’s built in silence—during the early mornings, late nights, and back-to-back rejections.
- That extra dial when you’re feeling burned out?
- That follow-up when they ghosted you 4 times?
- That one more hour refining your pitch?
That’s where the separation happens. Right there.
So remember, the difference between the average reps and the real rainmakers is never talent. It’s discipline when no one is watching. And that’s worth reading again.
RELATED: How to Rewire Your Mind for Cold Calling Success
- MENTORSHIP — You Don’t Know What Great Looks Like Until You See It
And then Nani said something I’ll never forget.
“I thought I was doing everything right… until I lived with the best in the world.”
He was talking about Cristiano Ronaldo—my all-time favorite athlete and arguably the most disciplined and dominant athlete on the planet.
Nani moved in with him for a month and saw what elite really looked like.
And it hit him hard.
This is why mentorship matters…
This is why environment matters…
This is why proximity is power.
You want to close $100K+ deals? Get in close proximity and shadow someone who does it daily.
You want to build a pipeline like a pro? Get coached by someone who’s already built one.
Remember, you don’t rise to your goals. You fall to the level of your standards. And if you’re not around people who push you higher, you’ll continue to coast right where you are. And eventually… you’ll fall. Please don’t let that be your reality.
RELATED: What Football Star Christian Pulisic Can Teach Us About Sales
The Real Takeaway
That day wasn’t just about football. It was about the DNA of winners, in any arena.
What I saw on that field, what I heard in that Q&A, and what I felt deep inside was this:
Sales is not a job. It’s a full-on sport. Blood, sweat, and tears. And it’s played by those who lead with belief, train with discipline, and grow through mentorship.
If you’re in B2B sales—especially if you’re cold calling—you need to treat each day like match day.
- Prepare like a pro
- Show up like it matters
- Leave nothing in the tank
Because just like football, your competition isn’t sleeping. They’re dialing. Drilling objections. And constantly upping their game.
So let’s get after it.
Final Words
The greats don’t become great by accident. Rather, they make belief their baseline.
And they make discipline their standard.
And they surround themselves with people who force them to level up.
So if you want to dominate your sales game, it’s time to start training like Nani.
Because champions aren’t born. They’re built. One decision at a time.
Until next time…
Johnny-Lee Reinoso