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I have always thought that one (of the many) reasons that I did not become a footballer was because
I am too intelligent. In fact, as has often been the case, with some notable exceptions (Jorge
Valdano, Socrates, Ruud Gullit....), intelligent footballers seems to be more the exception that
the rule, and at a time when the media scrutiny is so intense, the demand on a bit of brains in
footballers
Tonight is the Spanish Copa de Rey semifinal between Valencia and FC Barcelona. FC Barcelona
defeated Real Madrid in the semifinal, after which it has been widely proclaimed that FC Barcelona
will now win the tournament. Only the most die-hard Valencia fans believe otherwise. I don´t
believe otherwise.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter has made another brilliant comment, this time about the scourge of
racism in football, saying that on-the-pitch racism is inexistant.Already Mr. Blatter has been
harshly criticised, but I would like to give my support to the FIFA President by reminding him of
other things that do not exist in football: HomophobiaMatch fixingDopingSexismCorruptionBad
language and
Yesterday I had the pleasure of watching England defeat Spain in a match that put into display the
weaknesses of the defending world champions. Undoubtedly Spain is the best footballing nation in
the world, and they play a positive football style that closely resembles that of FC Barcelona.
That said, they do not have the attacking power of the Catalonian side - that is, they need a Messi
(who
I managed to watch the Valencia-Barcelona match in Miami Airport while waiting for a delayed
flight.Valencia had started the league well with three straight wins, while Barcelona had lost
points to Real Sociedad. But this remained Valencia's first big test, and it did not go as bad as
some would expect, as Valencia was the better team in the first half, and were ahead 2-2.
I have always been anti-Madridista, and wished that the team would lose. However, this has not
always been easy, as I have had to recognize a team with enormous merits, not only winning titles,
but also putting pride in being fair. It has always been a team characterized by many gentlemen who
have been involved in the club for whom I can only have the greatest respect: Jorge Valdano,
Vicente del
It is hard as a football fan not to like Carlos Tevez: a small, nice guy from one of the poorest
and harshest neighbourhoods, who had a harsh upbringing, but fought against it to become an
outstanding footballer. He is a great striker, and his constant fighting for the team, running,
tackling, and taking responsibility upon his shoulders, has made him loved in every single place he
has played.
In my view and experience, football breaks down barriers of nations, race, class, age, and well...,
gender!However, in spite of advances over the years, football culture remains very
male-chauvinistic, perhaps blocking the complete breakthrough of women's football (I think the main
problem with women's football is that it is not as technically good as men's, but it surely could
be!
I must admit that although I greatly admire Lionel Messi, and probably agree that he is the most
noteworthy player in the world, I am not wholly in agreement about winning the FIFA Balon d'Or
today.I am not sure what the criteria for the title are, but if they indeed are the player that
seems to do the most amazing things on camera - the one that most looks like a Playstation player,
it is indeed
