Once every four years, football reaches a fever pitch when the World Cup comes around
Perhaps there is no other sport on the planet that can unify and bring people together than 'The Beautiful Game' that is football
Published: Thu 14 Jun 2018, 11:29 AM
Last updated: Thu 14 Jun 2018, 1:45 PM
The Brazilian legend, Pele, popularised the term, O jogo bonito. Pele made football 'beautiful'. He was magical on the pitch and did not just leave the audience spell-bound, but also his opponents speechless.
Then, a certain Diego Maradona did the same, making people fall head over heels and in love with football.
You might like cricket, tennis, golf, Formula One or MotoGP, or for that matter, basketball, but you would have to admit, you may have definitely kicked a ball, even if in anger. All it takes is a ball and you kicking it about with your mates in the park, or any little space you can find.
And in this day and age of High-Definition television and technology, football is right at your fingertips, in whichever part of the world it is played. And club football has taken the sport to a different level with fans that are divided, yet united by the clubs that they support.
You might like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool or Manchester United, as evidenced by the club jerseys that you so proudly flaunt, even if you aren't from that country. But the fact is that everyone loves 'The Beautiful Game.'
And there can be no better illustration of that than the biggest sporting event of them all, with due respect to the Olympics, the World Cup.
Once every four years, football reaches a fever pitch when the World Cup comes around. After a rigorous qualifying process, the best 32 teams in the world try to show that they are indeed the best and worthy of being called world champions.
For a month, it is a celebration of football, a celebration of 'The Beautiful Game.' And the time to celebrate yet again is just round the corner, as the 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup starts today. Over the next month, the world's best teams and players will parade their skills in front of the whole world, on the biggest stage of them all.
After Brazil in 2014, it is time for Russia to play graceful hosts to the greatest sporting event on the planet. The tournament makes its return to Europe after 12 years, since the 2006 edition in Germany and matches are set to be played in 12 venues across 11 host cities.
Like always, each and every one will have their favourites, whether that comes from the heart or the mind. The usual heavyweights are in there like Brazil, Germany, France, Spain and Argentina but this edition of the World Cup could be the most open yet. Each Brazil, Germany, France, Spain and Argentina have enough credentials, but the margins are thin to pick a clear winner.
After the debacle on home soil four years ago, Brazil have done some soul-searching before going on to put together a solid team, that could be the envy of others. Their squad list reads like a stellar cast with almost all of them plying their trade with top clubs in the greatest Leagues in Europe. There is so much of gold dust in the team that anyone of them could easily walk into any other team. Undoubtedly, the Selecao would be strong contenders in Russia and a sixth World Cup title would be the apt medicine to the hurt that they endured in 2014.
That brings us to Germany, who would be looking forward to become the second team after Brazil to make a successful title defence. Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962 and the Germans would aim to emulate that. And they do have the squad to do so under coach Joachim Low. The Germans didn't put a foot wrong during qualifying, acing their way with a mind-boggling record of 10 wins from 10 fixtures. Of course, they will have a target on their back but it will be the famous German efficiency versus other schools of football.
France too have a cracking squad this time with some exciting young talent. The second-best team in Europe after they finished runners-up to Portugal at Euro 2016, the Les Bleus could mount a challenge.
Fans who love the skills and the flair of the La Liga will be rooting for none other than Spain. It is a squad brimming with talent and it does come as a surprise that they have punched below their weight, on the world stage. The Spaniards have only one title to show, triumphing in South Africa in 2010. The edition would mark the final World Cup for Andres Iniesta and the La Roja will look to give the brilliant playmaker, the perfect farewell.
Speaking of farewells, Russia could also see the best player on the planet - Lionel Messi - walk away into the twilight. The magician has won everything there is to, in club football with FC Barcelona, but a World Cup title that he so longs for, has so far eluded him. At 30, Messi isn't getting any younger and it will be down to his mates in the La Albiceleste to work with him and give him what he truly deserves.
Of course, there are dark horses in Uruguay, Portugal, Croatia, Belgium and England, who could spring up a surprise.
Meanwhile, spare a thought for some of the countries who will be missing the show altogether. Italy, champions in 2006, failed to qualify, and so did The Netherlands, Chile, the U.S., Cameroon, Ghana, Greece and Ivory Coast.
Nonetheless, for the next 31 days, it will be a celebration of 'The Beautiful Game.'
- james@khaleejtimes.com
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