I remember watching the World Cup in 2006 with my family, and during an enthralling game between Germany and Costa Rica (which ended 4-2 to Germany), I saw one poster from the crowd saying “Soccer is a Religion.” To me it is much more than that.
Soccer is a way of life. Soccer is what makes the end of the day worth waiting for. Soccer is the reason for a complete escape from what could otherwise be a torrid lifestyle. Picture this: You come home from your school or work and you wonder what to do. You then see a boy of let’s say 7 to 10 years old. He looks depressed. You then go up to him, with a ball in hand and ask him if he wants to play a friendly game of soccer.
Imagine the full change of social expression at the request of a soccer match. His eyes will light up, his dimples will start protruding, his smile will span the width of his face, all culminating with a resounding “yes.” The best part is that it doesn’t matter if this boy loses 7-0 or by some other embarrassing score line.
Soccer has the power to build friendships, strengthen ties, and on top of all that it is a genuine social activity that anyone can enjoy, even the disabled. During the 1998 World Cup in France, there was a group stage game between Iran and the U.S. During this time, there was some political tension between the two countries. However, the scene after the match was heartwarming. The players of both teams embraced and exchanged jerseys, showing no signs of tension between countries during the process. Iran won the match 2-1.
For me, the appeal of watching soccer comes from the drama associated with most matches and the sheer intensity. Back in 2005, there was a UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool of England and AC Milan of Italy. This match would forever be remembered as one of the greatest matches ever seen in the Champions League. Prior to the match, analysts speculated that AC Milan were the favorites to win, and that seemed to be the general consensus between fans as well.
In the first half, the game seemed to be going to the form guide with AC Milan racing into a 3-0 lead with Liverpool seemingly dead and buried. It was a superb display of skill, pace, trickery and clinical finishing from Milan. It seemed it was near impossible that Liverpool would be able to come back from this let alone win the match. I remember watching the game with my dad and he told me Liverpool would win. I looked at him with eyes of derision and laughed that off. My mom did likewise, claiming that he was quite insane.
However, Liverpool produced a sterling comeback of impressive determination and willpower to send the game to extra time (overtime) as the game was level at 3-3. I could not believe what I had just seen. A team that was torn apart in the first half and seemingly all but defeated had taken the game to extra time. I looked at my dad as if he was supernatural. He remained silent. Extra time of that game was a disappointing affair with no team scoring, but Liverpool won the overtime shootout.
After the game, many connoisseurs, analysts and coaches were waxing lyrical at the then manager of Liverpool, Rafael Benitez, for his tactical expertise at steering Liverpool to the trophy from a losing position. I, however, think otherwise because this sort of thing happens all the time.
No matter what perspective you look at soccer, whether you look at it from a personal level where you can brighten up someone’s day and build friendships or watch it for the drama and excitement achieved from these games, it is clear to see why soccer is the most popular sport and why it means so much to me.
Richard Duh can be reached at richard.duh@spartans.ut.edu.