Football, the only wonder of the world
- The Fan Project
- Jan 7
- 5 min read
by Roberto Zambrano - Collaborator
Whenever something exciting happens — like an attack conceived with great tactical play ends in a goal or close to it, or the final minutes of an important match where one team ties or even beats another in overtime — I wonder why football is so wonderful. And I don’t mean that it is just an entertainment instrument, but it is truly something that even on an emotional and spiritual level can transcend entire countries, from their economy to the happiness rates of their inhabitants.
For example, when the modest Greek team unexpectedly triumphed in the Euro 2004 held in Portugal, precisely against the host — who was also the favorite for the title — an unprecedented cultural phenomenon was caused in the Hellenic country. To the astonishment of the entire continent, what reigned most in the homes of the Peloponnesians was overwhelming excitement and bliss, after seeing their country at the top of continental football, something that can hardly be repeated in the medium term. The happiness or conformity indexes, as some will call them, were very high, reaching 6.47/10 when the country at that time had an average of 3.02/10 due to various political and social problems.
On November 7, 2001, my country’s national team confirmed a historic qualification for its first World Cup to be held in Korea and Japan in 2002. With an agonizing goal from one of the stars, number 9 — who also owed its nickname to this number — the team, humble but well worked by its coach at the time, would tie the match and thus, seal a milestone that until that moment, the country had never experienced before. I had turned 9 years old — the same as the number on the hero of the day’s shirt — six days before the crucial match and still I celebrated until I fell asleep in the streets of my city, accompanied by my father and my older brothers. The level of ecstasy that is felt in a moment like this is simply inexplicable, and unwritable. We felt like gods, the luckiest, world champions. I don’t think there is anything more exciting than the month that a World Cup usually lasts. Not only to feel the passion for your team, whether it is your own or just one you like, but also to know that you are connected to absolutely the entire planet. Millions of people talking, watching, and living the same thing as you, around a sport that achieves that, uniting the thoughts of humanity across different latitudes, without qualms and without discrimination.
It is exciting to see records of entire cities, empty as if the pandemic had returned, but no, it did not return. Is that the national team is playing. The streets were left empty to be able to witness something big, almost cosmic. This phenomenon happens in Argentina, as in Tanzania, and even in Uzbekistan. That phrase that says that your experience isn’t the same when your team participates or not is true, but not from a pessimistic or negative position. It is a different experience and in some cases it is even more enjoyable, when, being a neutral fan, you enjoy the sport without suffering and ordeal, letting yourself be amazed by the art that these individuals create with their legs.
But not everything is beautiful. There are also some shadows hidden behind the curtain of magic. For some groups, managing to clean up their image through these monumental sporting events, sponsoring or organizing them, is undoubtedly one of the most effective mechanisms they have. The so-called “Sportwashing”, is used according to various accounts by Qatar in the 2022 World Cup or Saudi Arabia in the various Club World Cups they have organized. But we will not go into that matter this time — since we will address that topic later — for now, let’s enjoy this beautiful sport that life gave us.
Incredible was the promotion playoff in the “Championship” of English football, when Watford won the leg to Leicester City in a dramatic final. In the first game, played on Foxies soil, the home team would win by the narrowest of margins, indicating favoritism towards the outcome of the game. In the decisive match of the series, Watford had to beat Leicester by at least one goal to qualify — a draw was not an option —. The first minutes of the game were marked by back-and-forth play, with a slight control by the “foxes.” The player Matej Vydra from Watford equalized the series in the 15th minute of the match with a stunning volley. Four minutes later, the away team forward David Nugent scored a goal with a header in favor of Leicester, complicating the standings for the Yellows. The fans’ anticipation was total. In the 65th minute — already in the second half — Vydra would score the equalizer again, after a very well-executed collective play. The excitement of the people of Watford was intact. Towards the end of the match, the fatigue from the physical effort was evident. The referee decided to add only 4 extra minutes, but after some normal game delays, it extended to 6 minutes. That’s when Anthony Knockaert, from the blue team, falls in the area after a questionable foul committed by defender Marco Cassetti. Immediately, the penalty in favor of Leicester was taken. What excitement! The goalkeeper Manuel Almunia saves the penalty and the subsequent shot from Knockaert himself, then yielding a strikeback that would become legendary. After an intelligent collective play, Troy Deeney would blast the ball into the opposing net in the 90+7 minute of the match, sealing the fate of the Foxes and unleashing a euphoric invasion of yellow fans. Watford would thus secure their place in the final at Wembley, where their promotion to the coveted Premier League would be decided. Unfortunately, in that match, the team led by Gianfranco Zola would lose to Crystal Palace, who would secure the spot to move up to the Premier League.
Speaking of finals, there have been many thrilling ones, to the point of causing multiple heart attacks in the spectators. The miracle of Istanbul is one of them. Considered by many (including myself) as the best Champions League final in history, it took place in 2005 between AC Milan and Liverpool, with a heart-stopping 3–3 result that forced a tense penalty shootout in which the English team emerged victorious. It is worth noting that they came back from a very adverse situation, having conceded three goals in the first half alone. Incredible. Another similar and more recent one was the wonderful World Cup final in Qatar 2022, between the powerful France of the beast Kylian Mbappé and the Argentina of the almighty Lionel Messi — then teammates at PSG — where the result was the same, 3–3. The difference was the alternation of goals between both teams. Full of exciting moments, Argentina would achieve their third World Cup title after a penalty shootout that seemed endless, thus creating what many, once again consider — and I once again join that boat — the best World Cup final in football history. (and possibly even of the history of the sport). Beautiful and sublime.
Football, although too globalized and sometimes a little tricky, is without a doubt the dominant sport by far in our world due to its level of entertainment, surprise factor and influence to humanity. Anyone can play and enjoy it, without the need for top-level equipment with very high costs. It is the sport of the rich, of the poor, of whoever wants toplay it. It is simply nothing but extraordinary.
Comments