Love for the Beautiful Game

By: H. Janér

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, let us celebrate the essence of love in a rather unusual way – the love players have for the sports they dedicate their entire lives to. Football, often labelled the world’s most passion-filled sport, comes in many forms – for some, an escape from a cruel reality, and for others, love for the sport inherited through generations, to name a few. However, for most, including myself, the beauty of the game is what captivates; every goal, every tackle, every win – it soon turns any fan, into a lover of the game.
 
Love for football is demonstrated in many ways, whether that be simply supporting your boyhood club through thick or thin, taking off your shirt and running after a late-minute winner, or crying out of sheer sadness after an ugly loss. Many examples of this are seen every year in the sport; for example, the image above – David Luiz on his knees, before being consoled by Mesut Özil after Brazil’s historic 7-1 loss to Germany. Football is a universal language – one which transcends barriers, whether you are a kid from the favelas of Rio or the suburbs of London, we are all taught and raised to love the sport – for its beauty, and the joy it brings.
 
 Ultimately, football is a lesson; on how to be better, on how to handle adversity, on how to be stronger, and of course, how to love.