Argentina vs. Portugal
09 Feb 11
2 (Ángel Di María, Messi) - 1 (C. Ronaldo)
Stade de Genève, Suisse
*
Yo Ronaldo, Ima let you finish, but Messi had some of the best moves of all time... of ALL TIME.
Shrug.
can you spot them? messi prepares for a free kick; ronaldo, mascherano, nani
Somewhere in between 2010 and 2011, the heavens decided to bless upon thee some serious luck and good fortune. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - undisputedly the greatest footballers of our current time - decided to grace a stadium approximately 10 minutes away from my home. Apparently the Argentina vs. Portugal match was scheduled to take place in London, but because of some reason or other (seriously, who CARES why?!?) the game got relocated to Geneva. When my uncle announced this piece of news to me over lunch, tres nonchalantly as if reading appetizers of a menu...I froze. Pretttttty sure all I heard was "... something something... Ronaldo... something... oh, Messi too... something something... Geneva." Ears perked. GENEVA? The city I currently reside in? AKA, H-E-R-E?!! Need I say more? I pounced on those tickets like they were tickets to the Bahamas. All expenses paid. In a 5 star hotel with a beach front villa suite.
Somewhere in between 2010 and 2011, the heavens decided to bless upon thee some serious luck and good fortune. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - undisputedly the greatest footballers of our current time - decided to grace a stadium approximately 10 minutes away from my home. Apparently the Argentina vs. Portugal match was scheduled to take place in London, but because of some reason or other (seriously, who CARES why?!?) the game got relocated to Geneva. When my uncle announced this piece of news to me over lunch, tres nonchalantly as if reading appetizers of a menu...I froze. Pretttttty sure all I heard was "... something something... Ronaldo... something... oh, Messi too... something something... Geneva." Ears perked. GENEVA? The city I currently reside in? AKA, H-E-R-E?!! Need I say more? I pounced on those tickets like they were tickets to the Bahamas. All expenses paid. In a 5 star hotel with a beach front villa suite.
...You get my drift.
Walking out of the stadium after the late night match, energy still buzzing from the crowd, I realized 3 things. First off, I take back anything negative I've ever said about Cristiano. He is one FINE specimen (sorry, let's just be honest here), and minus the whining, his skill is unparalled. God knows being beautiful and talented shouldn't be held against you.
Dos? Like a deja vu from seeing Berbatov last summer, Lionel Messi is undoubtely one of the most naturally gifted players I've been priviledged to see live. His little frame glided past defenders as if they were not even there, and it took a conscious effort to tear your eyes away from the seemingly effortless movements of his yellow cleats. Manchester United loyalty aside - I wish the brightest of futures for a player who truly deserves his Number 1 title.
And what's the last thing I'll remember for years to come?! Argentinians, let me tell you, you guys LIVE. From the moment we stepped into the stadium, you could hear the Argentinian fans cheering, singing, dancing, and it just did - not - stop. When Argentina scored you felt the entire stadium EXPLODE. 90 mins later? The fans were still going strong... Kudos, Argentina.
And what's the last thing I'll remember for years to come?! Argentinians, let me tell you, you guys LIVE. From the moment we stepped into the stadium, you could hear the Argentinian fans cheering, singing, dancing, and it just did - not - stop. When Argentina scored you felt the entire stadium EXPLODE. 90 mins later? The fans were still going strong... Kudos, Argentina.
Because that's how I like my football - that sort of passion doesn't lie.
So... to sum it up? See world's best, check. And to think the match was to be played in London and I wouldnt have gotten this chance? You have to smile. Cause sometimes in life, you'll have to knock on doors to get what you want. But every now and then? Well, it'll come to you, knocking quietly as if not to burden you, and all you gotta do is just... listen.
And I sure as HELL swung open that door.
So... to sum it up? See world's best, check. And to think the match was to be played in London and I wouldnt have gotten this chance? You have to smile. Cause sometimes in life, you'll have to knock on doors to get what you want. But every now and then? Well, it'll come to you, knocking quietly as if not to burden you, and all you gotta do is just... listen.
And I sure as HELL swung open that door.
