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:

Dear Los Angeles

You’re Welcome

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: