"Some of my friends watch football, but most don't. One day they'll get it. One day they'll figure out why the rest of the world is so much smarter than us."- An American via ESPN.
I get it. Really, I do. I get that for some, watching football simply isn't that exciting. It's perfectly normal. But what I don't get is when people tell me - and regardless of where you live on this planet, I know you've heard it - "I can't really watch football, but I love the World Cup." Boy oh boy. If I had a penny for each time I heard that? I'd be buying a plane ticket to Manchester as we speak. Down the line, those folks who aren't into football but like the World Cup will ask me to miss a Man Utd game over the weekend, for some event or other. "Can't you miss this one? Won't they re-show it later?? I mean, it's not like it's the World Cup or anything..." Ahhh. I see. The World Cup is exciting since it comes around once every 4 years. But watching the English League, week in and out, can't be as epic... right? Hmm. How about no.
That's like telling me you'd rather read a poem than a book.
Hence my first "p!tch". Please stop telling me that football loses its excitement when played every weekend. And don't get me wrong, I love me my World Cup. But with competitions that unfold over a year? Every week, as the story unfolds, you find yourself becoming engrossed. More involved. More committed. By spring, as the season reaches its climax... every game becomes a page turner. That's when facebook statuses' start blowing up. Because ONE bad tackle, ONE mistake, ONE red card. One goal. That's all it takes. All of a sudden, one game can spell the difference between seeing your team lift a trophy and winning bragging rights, to wandering where it all went wrong...
This passion is even more so on display during my favorite competition ---
The Champions League.
Why is it my favorite competición? Apart from being European football’s coveted prize? The trophy that made Ronaldo cry, Drogba loose his cool, and turned John Terry’s slip into a household name all in one final? The atmosphere, the passion, the knowledge that Europe’s finest are battling it out on one stage: it’s exhilarating.But above it all, I believe in consistency (which is why supporting Liverpool never crossed my mind.) And to qualify, you have to have been part of the crème de la crème in your domestic league. J'adore. You are left with quality and variety: whether you like free flowing football, the Italian defensive mindset, the physical English game, it's all there on display, butting heads under bright lights and capacity-filled stadiums across Europe.
Player in focus: Ashley Cole.
uh, siiiiike.
OF COURSE Lionel Messi, who else? No, seriously?
I never believed the hype. I thought it was simply that, HYPE. And being an avid Premiership follower, not seeing Barcelona's Messi play week in and out in La Liga meant the only player, in my mind, who came close to the title of “the world’s best” was Ronaldo. Well, that soon changed courtesy of the Champions League quarter finals, as I sat down to watch two of Europe’s finest attack-minded teams: Arsenal vs. Barcelona.
Yes, I decided to evaluate Pep Guardiola’s Barca during a match when, in his own words, they played “ the best 45 minutes since I became coach.” Needless to say… I was rattled. Within the first 10 minutes, it looked like it was 22 versus 11, and all I wanted to do was give Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Almunia, a hug. A week later, during the 2nd Leg...my confusion merely deepened. By Messi's 2nd goal, the only thought running through my mind was: he's not human. By his 4th??? Well then, it’s official. He’s an alien.But his skills on the pitch isn't the real magic that caught my attention. At 10, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency that left him taking nightly hormone injections. Neither his parents, nor his team in Argentina, could afford the expensive treatment. He was later spotted and brought to Spain by Barcelona, along with his entire family, and given the proper treatment. The rest is... well, history. Why does this amaze me so? Because when you are destined to be great, I believe sometimes life can get in the way. Or at least, it'll try to. Even the most talented of soul can let life's obstacles blur their vision... and it takes great strength not to let it.
Since he doesn't play for Man Utd - by default - I won't dote on him. But what I can't do is hide my appreciation for someone who, with his tiny 5'6 frame, turns some of the meanest defenses into child's play. So hats off to a player who, over the next few years...may well remind us all why football truly is, "the beautiful game".
The best part? He's only 22.
The scary part? Um... he's only... 22.
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Shoulda Coulda Woulda Player: Former Man Utd Star Cristiano Ronaldo, now the world's most expensive player at Real Madrid.
First off, let me just say – amidst it all - I’m not bitter. We were all there. We saw Real, every summer, tell us all how they coveted our prized possession; the young, flashy, inspirational Portuguese winger who was bringing sexy back to city of Manchester. Cristiano Ronaldo. The player who once announced he was the "1st, 2nd, and 3rd best player in the world," with a straight face. And anyone whose given us 6 years, shattered goal-scoring records, and is pretty to look at along the way is worthy of remaining on my good list. I just find it highly amusing that he left because he’d won "everything there was to win with Man Utd,” and sought new challenges. Well, let’s see... Real failed to make it to the Champions league quarter finals - for the 6th year running. Challenge enough for you, dear?This is a life lesson folks. Not all that glitters is gold. I’m sure he doesn’t miss the cold, grey afternoons the city of Manchester bestowed upon his Mediterranean self… just like I’m sure he’ll miss the feeling of lifting trophies that comes with being a Red Devil.
OK. Fine. Maybe I’m a little bitter.
