Story highlights Vincent Kompany joined Manchester City from Hamburg in 2008

The defender is captain for both City and the Belgium national team

Kompany combined a football career with his studies as a teenager

He hopes to see authorities take a hard stance when tackling racism

While those about him have lost their heads, Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has been a model of consistency.

Whether it is players falling foul of the law, refusing to play, or simply getting swept up by the revolving door at the club's Etihad Stadium, Kompany has seen a number of teammates and managers come and go during his five years in Manchester.

But the Belgian has led the line for City both on and off the pitch.

The 27-year-old is captain of both club and country and his leadership helped City clinch a first English championship in 44 years in 2012.

Photos: Movers and shakers in transfer window Photos: Movers and shakers in transfer window Real deal? – The transfer window means football is rarely off the newspaper back pages in the off season. Much ink has been already been devoted to the question of whether Spurs' Welsh international Gareth Bale will join Real Madrid. Hide Caption 1 of 10 Photos: Movers and shakers in transfer window Real muscle – Despite their interest in Bale, Real have already flexed their muscles in the transfer window by signing young Spanish stars Isco (pictured playing for Malaga last season) for $40m and Asier Illarramendi from Real Sociedad for $51m. Hide Caption 2 of 10 Photos: Movers and shakers in transfer window Rooney to Chelsea? – Wayne Rooney's future as a Manchester United player continues to be in doubt after Chelsea declared an interest in signing the England forward. Hide Caption 3 of 10 Photos: Movers and shakers in transfer window Fab return to England? – Meanwhile United have made several unsuccessful bids to sign Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who before rejoining the Catalan club had played for Arsenal. Hide Caption 4 of 10 Photos: Movers and shakers in transfer window Manchester City revamp – United's rivals Manchester City have been active in the transfer market signing Fernandinho for $45m, Stevan Jovetic ($33.5m), Alvaro Negredo ($25m) and Jesus Navas ($23m). Hide Caption 5 of 10 Photos: Movers and shakers in transfer window Suarez wants out – Liverpool are facing a fight to keep hold of striker Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan forward has openly talked of wanting to join Real Madrid, while Arsenal have made a number of bids for Suarez. Hide Caption 6 of 10 Photos: Movers and shakers in transfer window Cavani choses PSG – Another Uruguayan international Edinson Cavani has changed clubs during the transfer window. Cavani signed a five-year deal with French champions Paris Saint-Germain for a reported French record fee of euro 64 million ($84 million). Hide Caption 7 of 10 Photos: Movers and shakers in transfer window Higuain makes Serie A switch – After Cavani joined PSG, Napoli used some of the money to sign Argentine international Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid. Higuain, who is reported to have cost Napoli in the region of $50 million, spent six-and-a-half seasons at the Bernabeu and scored a total of 107 goals in 187 appearances. Hide Caption 8 of 10 Photos: Movers and shakers in transfer window Monaco intent – PSG are not the only French club spending big. Monaco served notice of their intent to challenge at the top of world football by completing the signing of Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao. The transfer fee wasn't disclosed by Monaco, but it was reported to be almost $80 million. Hide Caption 9 of 10 Photos: Movers and shakers in transfer window Monaco swoop for Porto pair – Prior to signing Falcao, Monaco's owner Dmitry Rybolovlev -- worth $9.1 billion, according to Forbes -- funded the transfers of Porto pair Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez for $90 million. Hide Caption 10 of 10

Photos: Germany win Euro 2013 title Photos: Germany win Euro 2013 title Germany win Euro 2013 title – Nadine Angerer reacts after saving a second penalty kick during the women's European Championship final in Solna. Hide Caption 1 of 3 Photos: Germany win Euro 2013 title Germany win Euro 2013 title – German players react to the only goal of the Euro 2013 final from Amja Mittag. Hide Caption 2 of 3 Photos: Germany win Euro 2013 title Germany win Euro 2013 title – Germany's women lift the Euro 2013 title after a 1-0 victory over Norway in the final in Sweden. Hide Caption 3 of 3

His stellar performances and articulate interviews have made Kompany an idol among fans and a respected figure within the media.

Kompany's level head is something he credits to his education and his parents, who kept him grounded even when it became clear he was destined for sporting stardom.

"I couldn't go anywhere without finishing my studies," Kompany told CNN reflecting on the years he spent combining football and his education.

"I always remember playing in big games, millions of people watching, and the next day coming back at two o'clock in the morning.

"At eight o'clock I was just sitting on the bench with all my classmates and I was just a normal guy, but it's always given me the right balance.

"I thank my mother every day and my father every day for pushing me in that direction. They've never ever said to me, 'You're a great footballer. You've made it now just focus on your football.'

Photos: The rebirth of the New York Cosmos Photos: The rebirth of the New York Cosmos Superstars stateside – Pele (right) joined the New York Cosmos in 1975 and led a troop of superstars who flocked to the North American Soccer League (NASL). George Best, pictured here with the Brazilian, was a Manchester United legend who enjoyed three separate spells in the NASL. Hide Caption 1 of 9 Photos: The rebirth of the New York Cosmos Brilliant Beckenbauer – Franz Beckenbauer was captain of the West Germany team which lifted the 1974 World Cup. The Bayern Munich icon won three NASL Soccer Bowls with the Cosmos between 1977 and 1980. Hide Caption 2 of 9 Photos: The rebirth of the New York Cosmos Boys from Brazil – Pele and his compatriot Carlos Alberto spent one season together in the "Big Apple" which culminated with the Cosmos winning the 1977 Soccer Bowl. Carlos Alberto, who captained Brazil to World Cup glory in 1970, played 100 times for the Cosmos in two separate spells. Hide Caption 3 of 9 Photos: The rebirth of the New York Cosmos Past and present – Pele meets Giovanni Savarese, the Venezuelan coach of the modern day Cosmos. Saverese has pedigree in U.S. football and enjoyed a prolific spell with the New York/New Jersey Metrostars. Hide Caption 4 of 9 Photos: The rebirth of the New York Cosmos Return to action – The teamsheet for the Cosmos friendly with English third-tier team Leyton Orient. The fixture was vital for the Cosmos as part of their preparations for the new NASL season. Hide Caption 5 of 9 Photos: The rebirth of the New York Cosmos Humble beginnings – The match program at Leyton Orient's Matchroom Stadium celebrates the arrival of its prestigious opponents. Hide Caption 6 of 9 Photos: The rebirth of the New York Cosmos The future is green – Ahead of Saturday's match against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, the Cosmos' first competitive fixture in 30 years, the top of the Empire State Building is turned green. Hide Caption 7 of 9 Photos: The rebirth of the New York Cosmos Leading light – Marcos Senna is the most high-profile player in the current squad. The Brazil-born midfielder was a key part of the Spain team which won Euro 2008. Hide Caption 8 of 9 Photos: The rebirth of the New York Cosmos Soccer in the Big Apple – Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls have shown that soccer in the city can be a success. Cosmos COO Erik Stover spent three years with the team, helping the Red Bulls move to a new purpose-built stadium. Hide Caption 9 of 9

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"They've always said keep other things at hand and I guess I still have this in my life now."

Kompany's present is a far cry from his parents' past. His parents fled Zaire, now known as Democratic Republic of Congo, during the regime of president Mobuto Sese Seko, heading to Belgium where Kompany was born and raised.

"They've given us so much love when we were younger, but I guess like any modern family as well, we've had our problems in the fight," said Kompany of his parents.

"We've had financial difficulties like any normal family would have, but I think that the biggest lesson for me is that we've always come back to that education, the strength to do our own thing ... knowing that we would be okay even if we didn't have any money because we knew exactly how to handle situations."

Despite the success he has enjoyed since signing for City in 2008, Kompany continues to have numerous extracurricular interests.

British newspaper the Daily Mail reported in January 2012 that Kompany had signed up for a three-year Business Administration course, while he also purchased a football club in his hometown and renamed it BX Brussels.

Photos: New man at Camp Nou Photos: New man at Camp Nou New man at Camp Nou – Gerardo Martino has signed a two-year deal at Barcelona after agreeing to replace former coach Tito Vilanova. Hide Caption 1 of 5 Photos: New man at Camp Nou Messi's man – Barcelona's star player Lionel Messi is a huge admirer of fellow Argentine Martino. Both men hail from Rosario and Messi's father is a close friend of the new Barcelona manager. Hide Caption 2 of 5 Photos: New man at Camp Nou Vilanova fights on – Vilanova took over from Josep Guardiola as Barcelona coach in June 2012 but was forced to leave his post to continue his fight against throat cancer. Vilanova missed nearly three months of last season undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Hide Caption 3 of 5 Photos: New man at Camp Nou From Barca to Bayern – Guardiola won 14 trophies with Barcelona between 2008 and 2012 before taking a sabbatical. Now in charge of Champions League winner Bayern Munich, Guardiola will face his former side in a friendly game at the Allianz Arena. Hide Caption 4 of 5 Photos: New man at Camp Nou New man at Camp Nou – As well as Messi, Martino will be able to deploy the considerable talents of Brazilian star Neymar next season. Hide Caption 5 of 5

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The team, which plays at the bottom level of the Belgian football pyramid, is Kompany's attempt to ensure up and coming players are given the best possible start to their careers.

"I played football for Anderlecht from the age of 6 to the age of 20 so that has had a big impact on my life, at the same time as my parents and the schools I went to," he explained.

"I really believe that the interactions between all of those different assets led me to be better.

"I want to make a very strong link into the schools, maybe sometimes even the life at home for the kids.

"I think a part of the reason why a lot of young kids fail is because they don't have the support from home that they need to."

One obstacle faced by some modern footballers is racism. The key to tackling discrimination, according to Kompany, is also education.

While Kompany pays little heed to the abusers, he still says it is important for the game's governing bodies to clamp down on the vocal minority.

"It's a very sad life, it's a very sad way of behaving so I wouldn't give them too much attention," he added.

"But at the same time, as much as I wouldn't teach my kids to give them too much attention, I hope the governing bodies will be extremely hard and extremely exemplary in the way that they deal with those situations."