Netherlands striker Robin van Persie is using former Arsenal teammate Patrick Vieira as his inspiration to overcome a loss of form which has seen him lose his place for club and country.
Van Persie, 32, joined Fenerbahce from Manchester United in the summer but it is now a month since he was named in the starting lineup in the Turkish Super Lig.
He has also lost his place in the Dutch team, as well as the captaincy, and they look unlikely to even make the playoffs for Euro 2016 -- and coincidentally could miss out to Turkey.
Although he has managed three league goals in four starts for Fener, in general he has struggled to have an influence on games.
But he firmly believes he will rediscover his top form.
"I don't let anything get to me," Van Persie is quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror. "Mentally, I'm stronger than ever. When you're young, you don't know how to deal with situations like this.
"But let me explain who was my guide to a great balance in life. Patrick Vieira showed me how to stay mentally strong and cope with all pressures.
"My first season at Arsenal was Patrick's last. There were lots of stories about him going to Real Madrid. There was so much happening around this guy, it was incredible. And yet he was a tower of strength and an icon of calmness.
"He just remained our natural leader. Nothing could affect him. He was totally in balance, he was on top of everything and felt he could master it all. As a young player I was completely in awe of him. I admired that mental strength in him. And I think everybody else did."
Netherlands' hopes of making it to France next year are hanging by a thread, as they must win at home to Czech Republic and hope Turkey lose at home to Iceland, and that would only earn a playoff place.
Van Pesie earned his 100th cap for his country as a substitute in Saturday's 2-1 win in Kazakhstan, but it was no cause for celebration.
"At one time I was so looking forward to getting my 100th cap," he added. "People wanted to make a documentary about me and do lots of media stuff around this game. I told them to forget it.
"This is not the moment to boast about great stats or personal honours. The only thing that counts now is fighting for our lives in this group. We must battle till the last minutes of this campaign and try to qualify.
"We have to win our last game and hope that the Turks make a mistake. It's sad that we've landed in a situation like this. The Turks are very confident they will qualify. In the dressing-room at Fenerbahce they've been making jokes.
"But in reality it's a serious business. We both want to get to the Euros in France. As long as we have a chance, I will keep on fighting on the pitch for my country -- that is when I play.
"The new Holland coach Danny Blind has taken the captaincy armband off me and I have to wait every game [to see if] I play."