EVERYONE loves a happy ending and the sporting world is no different.

But the fairytale does not always work out for the talented individuals who live out most paying punter’s dreams – just ask Kevin Pietersen.

In the news again this week after being shunned by England’s new cricket bosses, it appears any lingering hope the enigmatic batsman may have had about representing his country again have well and truly been dashed.

Like many of the most talented sports stars, Pietersen is a man who divides opinion.

Akin to a certain yeast extract spread on our supermarket shelves, you either love KP or hate him – and unfortunately for him, new director of English cricket Andrew Strauss sways towards the latter.

It is perhaps understandable after Pietersen’s now infamous criticism of Strauss by text to South African opponents in 2012, which was also followed up by more unwelcome quotes in his autobiography.

But should personal indifferences be put to one side for the good of the team? You could argue that having such a divisive character in a dressing room is not worth it but has every member of every team in history always got on like a house on fire?

There have been plenty of instances when players have openly admitted they don’t get on but have put the team and their sporting professionalism first.

Maybe the debate regarding Pietersen boils down to the fact that, at present, English cricket is in a mess and he is arguably our best player, regardless of his character traits.

You wonder if there would be such a clamour for his reinstatement if he wasn’t as talented.

Because of the divide in opinion, there will be those who have little sympathy for Pietersen’s claim he was misled into returning to county cricket in the hope of a recall.

However, there are others who – no matter what the affiliation – will have a wave of support hoping they get that happy ending.

Social media on Wednesday night was awash with well wishes for Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon after his side knocked out holders Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Revered by fans and players alike after so many years at the top, there are plenty who hope he adds that missing winners’ medal to his jam-packed trophy cabinet.

Steven Gerrard was not so fortunate in Liverpool’s FA Cup run – a semi-final defeat denying him a last game at Wembley in the final on his birthday.

But he will still get an emotional farewell at Anfield tomorrow in his final home game, I’m sure.

In these parts, there will be many a Wanderers fan who will wish former skipper Kevin Davies well when Preston take to the Wembley pitch in next weekend’s League One Play-off final.

For all his service to the game – and the Whites in particular – he is still awaiting a winners’ medal of some sort.

I, for one, hope he finally gets it against Swindon to prove nice guys can come out on top.

Views from the sports desk

CRAIG NELSON: Haseeb Hameed is on the verge of his first start for Lancashire and I think every cricket fan in Bolton is urging him on.

The feeling is the young opener, pictured, who was nurtured at Farnworth Social Circle and scored an impressive 88 for Egerton as a deputy pro last weekend, is a special talent.

He was the scourge of Australia for the England Under-19s in a recent tour Down Under.

And the feeling is if the 18-year-old does not make his first-class debut at Leicester this weekend it is a matter of when not if he will take his place in the Red Rose top order.

NEIL BONNAR: Gareth Bale is coming in for some wicked criticism at Real Madrid but running away would be the worst thing he could do.

Some may cringe at the slaughtering he is getting from his own fans and the media, but how he handles it will be a measure of him as a man.

If he lets the situation drive him away from the biggest club in the world it will show him up as weak.

He should do what David Beckham did when England fans turned on him after the 1998 World Cup. Front up and fight his corner.

It will earn him respect and make him stronger.

CLAIRE CAMERON: When the curtain falls on Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard's Anfield career against Crystal Palace on Saturday, I'm sure I won't be the only football fan to feel a little emotional.

One-club players like the outgoing captain are a dying breed in the modern game with the lure of big-money contracts and promise of more silverware elsewhere taking precedence over loyalty.

Having made more than 700 appearances in 17 seasons for the Reds, the 34-year-old MLS bound-star bows out of the English game later this month, and one wonders if we will ever see his kind again.