This former U.S. soccer player built a $20 billion-a-year company. Now, he says resilience matters more than talent—and points to Lionel Messi as proof

Jim Kavanaugh, a former U.S. soccer player, co-founded World Wide Technology, a Missouri-based company generating $20 billion annually. He attributes his success to resilience and work ethic, comparing his approach to elite athletes like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.