Saturday, October 29, 2005
1:34 AM
in light of the widespread relationship problems surrounding me, and my boredom as a result of studying, i thought of a super analogy linking footballers and their clubs with relationships.
ok consider 3 footballers, Steven Gerrard, Christian Vieri and Alan Smith.
Gerrard, the die-hard liverpool fan by heart, the world-class midfielder who spent his entire footballing career with the club that he loved, regardless of the erratic performances of the club, as seen from their treble-winning days to their midtable slump in the premiership, and from their historic champions league final victory against AC Milan to their abysmal start to the season following that. The player who was constantly wooed by the likes of Real Madrid but remained at the club where his heart lay, a club where chances of winning trophies and basking in glory were slim. Such was his love for Liverpool, undying, and regardless of the cold fact that his life at the club may not produce the trophies that represent the ideal footballing career.
Vieri, the legendary goal poacher, one of the finest in the trade in Italy. The player who was seen moving from club to club in search of more silverware and new excitements, from Juventus to Athletico Madrid to Lazio to Inter and now AC Milan. He may have spent a respectable 6 seasons in Inter, but his recent move to traditional city rivals AC Milan certainly signals a yearning for the thrill of silverware that supercedes his passion for his club, or at the very least, a desire for excitement at AC Milan which Inter failed to produce in recent years.
Finally, Alan Smith, the passionate hard-tackling striker turned midfielder who gives his 110% in every game that he plays for whatever club he's in, whether it be then-relegation threatened Leeds or underachieving Manchester United. The rare breed of players who will stick by their club through thick and thin until the event in which their club offloads them. Though not in the same breed as Gerrard or Vieri, his commitment to his cause at any club is one that is exceptional, to say the very least.
NOW, look at yourself as a player, and your girl/boyfriend or person that you have something going on with as your club.
So, are you a Gerrard? The one whose love supercedes any rough patch that you may be facing, or any periods in your relationship which may lack excitement. The one who knows that you may not always get what may be perceived to be ideal in a relationship, but still sticks faithfully to it anyway and gives your best, purely out of a fervent love for the other. The one who knows that you will be in high demand by popular names in the event of being single, but still remains loyal and steadfast all the same.
Or are you a Vieri? The one who goes into relationships in pursuit of excitement, or to feel fuzzy and happy all the time. However, when this is not achieved all the time, your interest in the other party fades and you search for other options that'll satisfy your craving. You're basically driven by the thrills of a relationship.
Or the Smith? The one who puts your best into all the relationships you've been in, are in, and will be in. The one who continues loving till the day the other party gets sick of you or figures that it wont work out. The one who may not be the best person around, but whose commitment in any relationship is priceless.
I'm not implying that being a Vieri makes you a toot, but at the end of the day, look at Gerrard clutching the champions league trophy and Smith finishing every match looking weary, but still hungry for more. Thats football and relationships for you man: shit happens, but love, commitment, hunger and desire give you the most satisfaction at the end of the day.
And who says Football isn't life
