Many of my readers are curious about my Chinese nickname “球姐 Sister Ball.” It all began with my round shape and my love for football since childhood. As a result, my friends affectionately dubbed me "Tiny Ball.” Now, in my thirties, I'm transitioning from "Tiny Ball" in my youth to "Sister Ball" and proudly embrace this nickname as my online persona.
In today's newsletter, I'll delve into the intriguing connection between me and football.
The World Cup
Considering the average human lifespan, we only get to see about 20-odd World Cups in our lifetime. The last Qatar World Cup was my seventh.
I remember in 1998, when I first learned about the World Cup. I was still in primary school, staying overnight at my friend's house. In the dead of night, I groggily got up to watch the final between France and Brazil with her parents.
Since then, my interest in international football gradually grew (previously limited to watching domestic leagues only), with vivid memories of seeing reports and replays of epic games between England and Argentina, and admiring the dashing David Beckham and the cunning Diego Simeone. Beckham became my first football idol, a star who combined entertainment, business, and sports, leaving lasting memories for fans like me born in the late-80s.
The 2002 World Cup is still fresh in my memory. With friendly match times in Asia and China participating, I almost watched every game and even made scrapbooks for many Chinese players. However, life is full of ups and downs. I believed that those times would be the beginning of a flourishing era for Chinese football, but things didn't go as planned. One of my favorite Chinese players from that period, whose name is now a sensitive topic in China, along with several other crucial players from that team, are currently facing accusations.
During the 2002 World Cup, I fell in love with Ronaldinho. He became my fiercest idol during my youth. I not only plastered my house with his posters but also became a Barcelona FC fan. Staying up late to watch La Liga became a routine during my student days, and I even drew a large Barcelona logo and slogan on my school uniform, often getting stopped by the headmaster, who sent me home to watch it off.
In 2019, having just moved from New Zealand to Europe, I bought tickets to watch Barcelona vs. Real Madrid, eagerly anticipating my pilgrimage to Camp Nou. However, Catalonia suddenly erupted in riots, and the El Clásico was canceled. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted my travel plans to Barcelona, delaying my visit for two years. Finally, in 2022, I set foot in Camp Nou, chanting the Barca song with nearly a hundred thousand fans and witnessing the team's victory. It was an indescribable feeling of excitement!
In 2006, during the World Cup in Germany, I was going through adolescence, full of youthful energy, and so enthusiastic while watching matches that I broke a phone and almost smashed the TV. The round of 16 match between Portugal and the Netherlands was particularly thrilling, even named the "Battle of Nuremberg," with the referee issuing 4 red cards and 16 yellow cards, setting a World Cup record.
Since following my football idol Ronaldinho to Barcelona, I've been thoroughly captivated by Barcelona's style of play. I've studied the team's history and audiovisual materials, understanding how Johan Cruyff, closely connected Barcelona with the Dutch national team's football philosophy (details explained later). Cruyff's mentor Rinus Michels coined the term of "Total Football," leading the Dutch team to win the European Championship with this tactic the year I was born. Cruyff mastered the essence of Total Football and injected it into Barcelona's bloodstream, with players constantly switching positions, adjusting spaces, and maintaining ball possession. One of the reasons I started supporting Manchester City after moving to the UK was because Pep Guardiola inherited Cruyff's legacy, promoting this aesthetical football style.
2010 was perhaps the most agonising World Cup for me to watch. The Spanish team, spearheaded by Barcelona players, shattered the dreams of the Dutch lion, and when Andrés Iniesta scored the winning goal against the Netherlands, I turned off the TV and packed my bags for New Zealand without a word. Upon arriving at my destination and seeing an orange bus pass by on the streets, I suddenly burst into tears, not sure if it was homesickness or finally realising how much I felt sorry for the Netherlands.
Looking back, I find it amusing how I reacted at that time, but that's the typical behavior of a fan, investing all their emotions in a match, even if it's incomprehensible to most rational people. After all, life is about finding passion and joy in everything, and sports provide us with a sense of spiritual solace.
The 2014 World Cup was similarly disheartening. Lionel Messi, Barcelona's key player, led Argentina to thwart the Netherlands' chance to enter the final. That year also marked the final World Cup for the Dutch trio (Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie).
Fast forward to the 2018 World Cup, I mainly watched matches with my friends from New Zealand in bars or casinos and visited Argentina, experiencing the enthusiasm of South American football fans. During the 2022 World Cup, I flew back to China from Europe and watched games with my die-hard football fan dad. It brings back memories of staying up late and watching football games with family, which always filled me with excitement and gratitude.
After so many years of ups and downs, I can now face victory and defeat with equanimity. With age, I can't stay up late too often anymore, and many players I grew up watching are retiring, but seeing new generations of stars rising gives me hope. The excitement of thrilling matches will never end, allowing me to continue experiencing the pure joy of football, and I hope to experience the World Cup live someday!
Football is truly a uniquely unforgiving sport. Countless players dedicate their entire careers to chasing success on the pitch, only to fall short of their ultimate championship aspirations. Likewise, many fans fervently support their beloved teams through thick and thin, only to experience disappointment time and time again. As an avid follower of Chinese football, most people can relate to the bitter frustration and recurrent letdowns that come with being a fan. Nevertheless, despite the pain, we never lose hope because in the tough world of football, we consistently discover the purest form of joy.
My journey into football fandom was entirely shaped by my father's influence. Reflecting on the childhood diary my mother penned for me, I joined my dad on the football field at the tender age of two or three. I even endured a ball striking my face once, but I refrained from tears or complaints, instead, I quipped that it was a "face ball." My father earned the moniker of his workplace's "Maradona," and even in his fifties, he ensured a weekly football game prior to the lockdown.
At eight years old, my dad formally introduced me to live football matches at the Shandong Provincial Stadium, cheering for our hometown squad then known as the Jinan Taishan General. Looking back, it was fascinating for my young self to witness the spectacle of numerous individuals chasing after a single ball, and to enthusiastically join the adults in stadium chantings. While my comprehension of football's intricacies was still nascent, memorising the rosters of various teams in the Chinese league posed no challenge.
As I matured, my understanding of football gradually deepened. I witnessed my hometown team’s transformation from white-clad warriors to the orange flames, and the evolution of the former Chinese league into the present-day Chinese Super League. The dual triumph of Shandong Luneng Taishan in 1999 provided me, as a budding fan, with unparalleled joy; and Brazil's World Cup victory in 2002 enlightened me to the artistry of football—Ronaldinho's mesmerising skills completely captivated me and paved the way for my admiration of Barcelona's way of playing.
Under Pep Guardiola's leadership, the "Dream Team" brought unmatched joy to Barcelona fans. Now living in Europe, I frequently attend matches at the Etihad Stadium, where I've witnessed the departures of Kompany, Silva, and Aguero, and the arrivals of Dias, Grealish, and Haaland. De Bruyne has become a central figure in the team, while Foden continues to take on more responsibilities. Without fully embracing the football world, it's hard to understand how this sport ignites such passionate energy and enriches life with boundless enthusiasm.
The saying "Football is round" by former West German football coach Helmut Herzberg captures how the game constantly changes. It also reflects the never-give-up attitude until the end. Just like Aguero's amazing goal at 93:20, hope persists until the very last moment. This football philosophy keeps me optimistic and determined, facing life's challenges with unwavering resolve.
Diego Maradona
2020 was a year of unexpected twists and turns for everyone, including me. I had big plans to travel Europe and fulfil my dream of watching the Euro Cup live. But instead, I found myself working in Latvia and Kazakhstan by the end of the year under COVID-19. Just when I was about to head to Astana, the news of Diego Maradona's sudden passing hit me hard. It felt like the year had taken another legendary figure away from us, following Kobe Bryant's death earlier.
Pelé, another football legend and Maradona's friend shared his sorrow and said, "I hope we will play soccer together in the sky. There is much more to say, but for now, may God give his family strength. One day I hope we will play soccer together in the sky." Even if you're not a football fan, you've probably heard of Diego Maradona: the Hand of God, Boca Juniors' emperor, Barcelona's legend, the Naples il Pibe de Oro... His life was full of ups and downs, captivating fans with his incredible skills and flamboyant lifestyle, even after retiring.
Maradona's passing left a void, not just in the football world but in the hearts of people worldwide. He had two major moments of glory in his career. Firstly, during the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, where he led Argentina to victory against England, erasing the pain of their defeat in the Falklands War. His "Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century" became iconic moments in football history, bringing joy to Argentinians. Secondly, in the 1986/1987 season, he helped Napoli win their first-ever Serie A title, defying the dominance of northern Italian teams.
In 2018, I had the chance to visit Maradona's home country Argentina. Despite the language barrier, mentioning Maradona's name always brought smiles and warm embraces from the locals. Visiting La Bombonera stadium, where Maradona's presence was felt everywhere, was a surreal experience. After his passing, tributes poured in from around the world, and even the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team paid homage to Maradona before their match against Argentina.
If Maradona could speak at his own funeral, he once said he would thank football for giving him joy and freedom. And that's how I feel too. Football isn't just a game to me; it's a journey filled with culture, emotions, and life lessons. Maradona's legacy reminds us that life is unpredictable, and we should cherish every moment, no matter what surprises it brings.
Johan Cruyff
On the 25th of April 1947, one of the greatest players and coaches in football history, Johan Cruyff, was born 🧡❤️💙.
I've read Johan Cruyff's autobiography "My Turn" several times, and my online friend David Senra did a fantastic podcast of this book. It's not only about football but also about wisdom for life.
When Cruyff was 5 years old, he was called the "football kid" because he always had a football with him. In his autobiography, he recalls that you can't fake love for something; it shows from an early age.
Cruyff's father passed away when he was 12, but his father's influence lasted his whole life. Whenever Cruyff faced difficulties, he would visit his father's grave and talk about the problems he encountered in life, finding solutions in his mind.
While others saw football training as hard work, Cruyff saw it as joyful play. He never felt that playing football was a job; it was a game he thoroughly enjoyed. (This reminds me of Naval's quote, doing something that feels like play to you but work to others.)
Cruyff's mentor, Rinus Michels, was the creator of "Total Football", leading the Dutch team to win the European Cup in the year I was born. Cruyff learned the essence of this football philosophy and infused it into Barcelona's DNA. Players needed to constantly change positions, adjust space, and maintain possession. (My beloved coach Guardiola inherited Cruyff's legacy.)
Cruyff disregarded past achievements. His home had no trophies or certificates on display, and the medals he won became toys in his grandson's toy box. He believed that past failures were meaningful because they provided lessons and experiences to learn from. The best game is always the next one. Cruyff's football philosophy extended into his life: never dwell on the past, always attack forward.
When Cruyff retired for the first time, he invested in a pig farm, trying to transition from a player to a businessman, but it failed miserably. At the age of 32, he realised that he was born for football, and if he abandoned his talent for the track, the universe wouldn't let him succeed. So, he chose to return to the field, leaving a legacy in the football field he excelled in.
Cruyff believed that his success was not possible without the help of others. Whether it was his stepfather/father-in-law providing him with financial support and life guidance, or later his coaching team selecting talent for him, he always found benefactors to advise him in areas where he was not skilled, allowing him to focus on tactics and training players without being burdened by other matters.
Cruyff excelled at learning knowledge from other fields and applying it to football, such as hiring opera singers to teach players breathing techniques. (This reminds me of Schwarzenegger hiring ballet dancers to teach him how to display grace on the bodybuilding stage, standing out among a group of stiff bodybuilders.)
During matches, you rarely saw Cruyff pacing in the coaching area. He believed that only by standing/sitting quietly could he focus on every detail on the field. (This reminds me of another famous football coach Bielsa's Bucket.)
Cruyff detested the bureaucratic nature of football, with leaders who didn't understand the game giving orders blindly. He believed that everyone in the club, from cleaners to executives, should see themselves as servants to the eleven players on the pitch, serving them wholeheartedly. Only with this mindset could they achieve victory together.
Due to his father's early death, Cruyff always felt that he might inherit the same fate. So, he made the most of his time, living an exceptionally vibrant life, relentlessly training, studying tactics day and night. He once said that no one in football understood tactics better than him. “You play football with your head; you just use your legs to run,” Cruyff said.
Author Eduardo Galeano once said in his book "Soccer in Sun and Shadow," "By writing, I was going to do with my hands what I never could accomplish with my feet." I feel the same as I could only use words to express my love for football.
Football is more than just about winning and losing; it's connected to the way money and power are controlled in our society. Many people wonder how someone like me, who loves books and is quite refined, could enjoy a sport like football, which some see as "superficial and barbaric." My answer is simple: don't be fooled by the surface look; football has always been mixed up with politics, culture, and power.
In the past, black Brazilian players had to put white flour on their faces just to be allowed to play. Even during World War II, football matches were influenced by the interests of different countries. Nowadays, supporters from different teams occasionally find themselves in conflicts rooted in historical issues. Consider the "El Clásico" rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid; it transcends being just a football match. It embodies the Catalans' longstanding bitterness towards the Franco regime in Spain and their contemporary aspirations for independence.
Football, like all competitive sports, shows how life can be tough and unfair. Players' best years are often short, and you have to accept that they won't be around forever. This makes me think of the "Theseus's ship" puzzle: after many years, is the club you love still the same? Would you still support it?
Hi Camilla!
龙神之年至今
I Loved it !
Only a passionate fan can write like this :)
And to top it off, a wonderful reference to Theseus ship :)
You have reminded me HAHAHA
I always thought of Theseus ship problem: it is berthed in the Harbor, decaying and needs urgent repairs. By repairing it, is it the same ship with new building materials used ?
For me, YES, it is the same ship, in spirit !
Once a football fan, always a football fan through thick and thin unless you find another passion with less disappointments then you will have a long life by not taking things too personally. Emotions are delicate and need to managed carefully over time :)