Blog
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There’s a word Brazilians use that doesn’t translate cleanly into English: alegria. It means something close to “exuberant joy,” but that definition doesn’t quite do it justice either. You know it when you see it, and in the summer of 1998, the whole world saw it every time a 21-year-old kid from a windowless house in Rio stepped onto a soccer pitch. Ronaldo was, by any honest measure, the most exciting player on the planet. Two FIFA World Player of the Year awards. A reported $110 million commitment from Inter Milan. Bobby Charlton calling him the…
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Soccer as such a captivating and gripping worldwide sport creates numerous moments, memories, but perhaps most iconic are its players. Soccer like other sports, such as the NBA, creates legendary figures that grow to have an almost cult-like following. However, these figures and their fandom spread even further, as a worldwide sport. With any sport these figures are comprised of both heroes and villains, with each earning their respective love and hate due to their actions, personality, play style, success, etc… These individuals make up the sport as much if not more so than the actuals…
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I quite enjoyed the Simon Critchley reading, “Working-Class Ballet.” Not only does he raise many interesting point of views and dives deep into many topics, such as the political analysis of soccer throughout it’s history in the Premier League and the World Cup, the need and purpose of grace when playing the sport, as well as captivating anecdotes about him and his father’s relationship. However, one of the biggest things he talks about and alludes to is the topic that I found the most interesting, and the topic that connects with the other readings we have,…
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This week, our reading covered Simon Critchley’s article “Working Class Ballet.” His article discusses the significance of soccer in his life. He and his father bonded over the sport, and it was largely what brought them together. He views soccer at three levels: personal, political, and aesthetic. Critchley sees soccer as an incredibly important source of collective identity, specifically in the working class. The games themselves are a spectacle that, he explains, serves as an escape from the grueling, labor-intensive world that so many people are part of. He derives the concept of “blind hope” as…
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In Golazo Chapter 9, the focus is on how outside influences begin to control the game. The title itself suggests that something beyond the players is pulling the strings, and that idea shows up constantly. Organizations like FIFA, along with television networks and sponsors, begin to shape how football is played and how it is perceived by its audience. What stood out most to me is how the game began to feel less spontaneous and more managed tactically around this time. Even so, players like Diego Maradona still break through that system. His performance in the…
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Reading The World Cup as World History and Chapter 9 of Golazo! made me think differently about the fan experience, especially how the readings describe stadiums almost like “cathedrals.” That idea really stuck with me as it captures what a fan feels. Fans aren’t just watching a game they are a part of something emotional and collective, the chanting, the energy, and the colors it almost feels like a ritual. What I found interesting is that even though both readings talk a lot about commercialization of sponsorships, FIFA’s power, and the global business side of football,…
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One of the most interesting ideas in Chapter 9 of Golazo! is how soccer became much more than just a sport in Latin America. Over time, football evolved into a massive public spectacle that represents national identity, pride, and culture. Instead of simply being a game played between two teams, soccer became something that entire countries rally behind, especially during major tournaments like the World Cup. This idea connects strongly with the concept of football as a global spectacle described in the reading. Modern football is often presented almost like entertainment or theater, where the excitement…
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One of the most interesting parts of Chapter 5 in The World Cup as World History is the idea that football isn’t just a sport anymore—it’s something we buy and sell. For over 150 years, the game has been “packaged” like a product. Whether it’s the skill of the players or the excitement of the match, everything about the World Cup is designed to be watched and enjoyed by a global audience. It has become one of the most successful “products” in modern culture. Today, how we “consume” football has changed because of technology. In the…
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For this weeks readings, we were assigned “Golazo!” chapter 9 and “The World Cup as World History” chapter 5. Both of these chapters focus on the mythmaking behind the biggest names in soccer, and even the myths that surround the sport itself. As media becomes more accessible to those around the world, these soccer stars become the center of stories and narratives of the people who watch this sport, and oftentimes this comes with expectations that players can’t live up to according to their fans. There are so many ways to enjoy soccer, with streaming platforms…
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By: Abraham Cruz-Hernandez In Golazo, Chapter 9 it deepens the focus on the dramatic and mysterious events that surrounded the final of the 1998 World Cup around Ronaldo. It centers around the sudden medical crisis before the match. At the age of 21, Ronaldo is described as one of the best players in the world, combining his speed, strength, and extraordinary skill. His rise from his childhood from poverty in Rio de Janeiro to professional athlete highlights both his natural talent and his relentless scoring ability across European clubs. This piece emphasizes how Ronaldo’s style reflects…
