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Friday, April 6, 2018

The Beautiful Game


Football…er…soccer.

Zlatan Ibrahimović was recently signed by the Los Angeles Galaxy.  If you know anything about football, you know Zlatan.  It is said that he could have signed for much more money with a European club, but he chose to come to LA.

To announce his signing, he took out a full page advertisement in the LA Times.  It said, simply:


And then he signed it.

This is Zlatan. 

In his first match, he was held in reserve until about 20 minutes remained.  At the time, the Galaxy were behind 3-2.  He quickly scored on a forty yard volley – placed perfectly over the goal keeper and under the crossbar.  In stoppage time, he scored the game winner on a header.

In talking to the press after, he said: “The fans kept chanting for Zlatan.  I gave them Zlatan.”

This is Zlatan.

If the combination of Zlatan and Los Angeles does not generate real buzz about soccer in America, nothing will.  There are a few more talented players in the world, but only one Zlatan.

Turning to the UEFA Champion’s League…

Christiano Ronaldo scored the most incredible goal in Real Madrid’s recent Champion’s League match against Juventus.  It must be seen to be understood.  Not just appreciated; understood.

Few sports demand the depth and breadth of skills that soccer demands – physical, mental, coordination, balance, etc.  All of these are on display in this one moment.

Now…in international football and in Spain’s La Liga, there is a rivalry: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona (carrying the weight of the fascists and communists of the Civil War), and Christiano Ronaldo (of Madrid) vs. Lionel Messi (of Barcelona).  Many consider these two to be the best players of this generation.

The fans of Ronaldo and Madrid took this opportunity to poke at Messi, who was to play a Champion’s League match the following night.  You need not understand Spanish to understand the humor if you watched the video of Ronaldo’s goal:

 

8 comments:

  1. Ronaldo's goal reminded of a Brazilian named Pelé.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice, but they're no Dennis Bergkamp

    Oh, and about "football"..

    ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I beat you to the punch, comments included:

      http://bionicmosquito.blogspot.com/2017/12/football-vs-futbol.html

      Delete
    2. Fair & Square, BM.
      Good piece btw.

      Delete
  3. "MLS, welcome to Zlatan." -Stu Holden

    A little more info for the average American sports fan:

    -Zlatan is 6'4". He might have made terrifying linebacker if he wasn't so spaciotemporally gifted--i.e. hand/foot/eye coordinated. He'd likely would have been a QB, tight end, or wide receiver had he grown up in the US.

    -He is an expert martial artist and it's apparent in the way he plays. His highlight reel is full of insane, seemingly impossible goals and passes.

    -As BM intimated, his schtick is on the level of Casius Clay, yet he's known by other players as a good teammate and hard worker.

    -He took a 95% paycut to come stateside.

    -I have a man crush. The guy is huge but handles the ball like he's the size of Messi.

    ReplyDelete
  4. BM, followed your link to that old essay.

    Soccer is a player's game.
    Football is more of a coach's game.

    It is why football is easier for spectators to watch.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Since this topic is called "The Beautiful Game," I'll throw in another classic. Just for the weekend.

    Johan Cruijff is Art

    Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete