Is Football Still Romantic? Hell, Yes!
It's almost a blasphemy to question football, but in recent years I've found myself asking these questions several times. What makes me love the game so much? Why am I willing to spend money to go to stadiums or to buy a newspaper to read about the latest transfer?
@alecosman92
Well, after one of these existential crises at just 30 years of age I organized myself a footy match with friends and tried to capture all the details that make me love the most beautiful game in the world spasmodically, because it’s only in the football pitch that I can find the answers to these questions.
@alecosman92
Football Boots
As soon as I step onto the pitch, the first thing I do is lace up my boots. It's a routine that never gets old, slipping my foot into the shoe, feeling the sole against my skin, and the magic begins. Whether I'm playing futsal, 11-a-side, on clay or grass, the sensation is always the same.
It takes me back to when I was 8 years old and my mother gave me my first pair of football boots. Back then, I used to see all the Adidas ads featuring the beautiful white predators and I was enamored by them. My mother, however, didn't see the big deal – “a football boot is a football boot”, she would say.
So, she bought me a pair of black Diadora with a yellow logo – a classic. But you know what? That was probably my first love. Even though time has passed since then, I still have that same amazing feeling when I put on my boots. It fills me with pride and a sense of readiness to play, while also bringing back fond memories. The romance of that feeling has never faded away.
@alecosman92
Goals
When I see a goal, it immediately evokes memories of the thrilling moments I've experienced watching the curve shots of Alessandro Del Piero from the edge of the box or the bicycle kicks of Zlatan while playing for Sweden. But it's not just about nostalgia, it's about the anticipation and excitement of a game.
Goals represent the ultimate objective, and the glimmer of hope that I too can score a goal and hear the roar of the crowd. I've always had a love for scoring, the feeling of the ball hitting the net is like nothing else.
Goals are a symbol of the difference between glory and defeat, and that white line that separates them will always hold a special place in my heart. It's always exciting to step onto the field and admire that line before a friendly match with my buddies, almost like a good luck charm.
Goals are not just a symbol of victory, but also a representation of the passion and the romance of the game. They are what separates the glory from defeat and oblivion, it's Shakespearean in its own way.
@alecosman92
Sweat
Let's talk about sweat, it may sound a bit strange but bear with me. Sweat is a physical manifestation of an athlete's effort and I have always found it to be an inspiration for understanding which players have given their all on the pitch.
While some players may not sweat much, due to lungs as big as double decker, in my matches, there is no Ngolo Kante, but a group of semi-older players running around the ball with little pace.
Seeing sweat on my teammates' backs fills me with excitement and happiness, knowing that they are working hard to help us win.
Football is a team sport, and every time I have the opportunity to play with friends, a team, or even watch a game, I start to think about the complexity of the dynamics that lie behind it.
Sweat serves as a reminder of this, when I am playing and I don't feel tired or wet on my back, it means something is wrong and I need to step up my game. I need that rush of sweat at the end of the game to feel good about myself.
Football boots, goals, and sweat are only a few of the things that make me love this sport, but they serve as a reminder of the passion I have for it.
I can think of countless other details that I love about the game, but these three are the ones that remind me of why I fell in love with it in the first place and I believe the passion for the game will never fade away, because it's still romantic, hell yes!
