The Beautiful Game

~ Gottfried

Football, a game where men chase after balls…pause. It’s like watching a bunch of overgrown kids play tag, except with confusing rules and no nap breaks. The gag is that they are indeed still kids, only largely more determined. And every now and then? there’s an overwhelming urge to snap someone’s leg in half. For the love of the game.

How deep is your loyalty? Two things men don’t change; their barber and the club they support. You’ve got your die-hard fans decked out in face paint and foam fingers, ready to defend their team’s honor like it’s a matter of national security. Meanwhile, the players are out there strolling around and barely breaking a sweat.

What went wrong? The post-game interviews are absolute box office. Before the media trained era, you had to sit there and watch your favorite player attempt to string together coherent sentences in a bid to explain how he missed a completely open goal. What do you mean by shit happens? You literally shat yourself in front of thousands of people!

Winning is everything. The only way to win is to pass the ball in a way your teammate likes to receive it, and not the way you like to pass it. I mean heavens forbid he has to stretch out a leg to receive a pass. If it’s not inch perfect, he will simply not chase after it. And then there’s you, sat at home screaming at the TV. Blood pressure through the roof. Pass the remote before you pass out!

Harmless Banter. Your team has just had their arse handed to them over the weekend and suddenly you can’t bear social media anymore. You can’t even pass by the TV anymore because for whatever reason the match highlights are on repeat. Close friends and family and dialing your phone but you can’t pick up. Because you were so sure, but nothing prepares you for disgrace.

Defeat builds character. You don’t stop supporting because of an embarrassing defeat. You’re not a fair weather fan. It’s your oath, the passion for the club runs deep in your veins. You take the losses on your chin and keep it moving. Because your team lost you have suddenly lost your appetite? Can never be me. I will ensure my body gets all the necessary nutrients. And next match-day…

We go again

©️ Gottfried. All rights reserved

50 thoughts on “The Beautiful Game”

  1. SMiLes Mr Gottfried While the Religion of
    Most Forms of Culture Politics And Religion
    Or IN Other Words What Bonds and Binds Folks

    Together May Lead
    to Bonds Sadly

    For Tribal
    Conflicts
    Like Getting
    Bombed to Death As such

    There is Sports More Specifically
    Football in Nigeria That Humans Bond
    And Bind Over Regardless of Cultural
    And Religious Differences lncluding
    Most Basic Differences Like Language

    As True It is Mostly A Non-Verbal Sport Hehe
    Anyway When The Football Fields Replaces
    Tribal Warring Surely Less Blood Spilled That Way

    And Additionally When It’s a Not A Head Banger
    Variety Played as Contact Sport in the United States..:)

    Liked by 1 person

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      1. Hehe What Makes
        Sports in General
        So Successful Is Sports

        Does More Than

        Talk True Politics
        And the Other

        Religions

        Could Learn Much
        From A Mute Religion
        Like Sports Indeed Mr Gottfried

        With SMiLes

        Just No Head
        Banging Self

        Inflicted And Other Trauma
        Is For Real April Fool’s Days..:)

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        Reply

  10. I will never understand fans. You can’t win if you’re not playing. end of statement. Then again there are the clubs at the bottom every year who’s fans insist will be better next time. I’m led to believe that once upon a time football was an entertainment and not a religion. Who knows? 🤣😎🙃

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