It has been a remarkable week for John McGinn. And if any footballer deserves the rewards of his hard work, it is the Aston Villa captain. In Istanbul, McGinn carved his name into Villa folklore on the banks of the Bosphorus. He became only the second captain in the club's history to lift a European trophy, following Villa's emphatic victory over Freiburg in the Europa League final.
A Historic Achievement
Whatever the future holds, McGinn's name will now be mentioned alongside those of the European Cup-winning team of 1982. He admitted to having dreamed of this moment. And it came true—barely 24 hours after being named in the Scotland squad for this summer's World Cup.
Loyalty in Modern Football
When it comes to loyalty at the highest level of football, such an endearing quality has become rare. But McGinn remains one of the exceptions to the rule. When he joined Villa in 2018 from Hibernian for just £2 million, the club were in the Championship. During nearly a decade since, the Scottish midfielder has had opportunities to leave. But Villa gave him the platform to take his career to a new level, and he seized it.
He scored the winning goal as Villa won the Championship play-off final in his first season. He went on to score the first goal in their first season back in the top flight since 2016. And since being appointed captain, he has led Villa into the Champions League.
A Leader On and Off the Pitch
Ask people in the game about McGinn, and they speak of a decent, honest, and trustworthy footballer and teammate. Someone you want to head into the trenches with. A leader by word and deed. When he raised the Europa League trophy inside Besiktas Park just after midnight on an unusually wet night, it felt like a personal triumph for one of football's good guys. For someone who owes Villa nothing following his years of devotion and dedication. The fact is Villa owe him everything.
Captains who lead from the front, both on and off the pitch, are worth their weight in gold. Because they are like managers—a reflection of the team they represent. McGinn is under contract until 2028 and appears to be at the peak of his powers at the age of 31. Next season he will once again spearhead Villa's assault on the Champions League. And who knows how far he can help Villa go.
The Rise of 'Meatball'
If there is a fitting place for a footballer known as 'meatball' to his teammates (due to his round head) to be dining at again, then it is the top table of European football. In recent times, McGinn has somehow remained understated and underrated. But all this will now change for someone who is Unai Emery's star pupil. He has gone to the top of the class—but something which won't change is the attitude of a footballer who has become the perfect example of how to be, to future ones up and down the country.
