Saturday, July 17, 2010

Sibling Rivalry

As much as I like it, this post is not about the song "Sisters" by Pain of Salvation. But well, its here at last. The World Cup is over with lots of scintilliating memories and now I'm looking forward to resuming a love-and-hate relationship that I share with those on the darker side.

All in all, its like a sibling rivalry. Each wants to be loved more, each has its own unique identity which it thinks is superior to the other. Each entity doesnt want to imitate the other and yet there's always a nascent introspection at the sub-conscious level done by looking at the other, the management's and fans' efforts all sub-consciously directed towards bettering that which is achieved by the other club's. Its a rivalry beyond anything known to mankind. Yet, at the same time, both the entities have to co-exist; they cannot do without the other. They live in an environment which they've sculpted, plundered at their own will and to their advantage. The playground is a sparring ground only for these two entities, and each year one or the other triumphs leaving the other to bite the dust. Lately though, there's a grudging hand offered to help the rival back to its feet, after which its given another almighty smack and told to come better prepared next time. The respect is there, veiled, but the hate is ever obvious.

The rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona is actually a rivalry between Madrid, the city, and Catalonia, the autonomous state. It is not limited to a football match; it is just always prevelant. It resumes much before the footballing season begins; there's rivalry in who's doing a better pre-season tour. There's rivalry in how many signings each club is going to make and of what kind. There's rivalry in how much revenue either club has amassed over the last financial year, a rivalry in how many fans either club has won over the last year or rivalry over the average attendance figures. Hell, there's even rivalry in who's jersey looks better and Nike and Adidas can make some accurate forecasts about sales looking at the initial reception and squabbles between either set of fans.

So, we're here at last. 2010-2011. Let La Liga begin. Let the rivalry resume. Here's a small taste of what it is to be part of it...

4 comments:

zizowen said...

i always wondered how two teams with so much hate play in a national team together... its really commendable ... english fans who blame hatred as a reason for the National team not doing well really need to watch spain and italy( inter vs ac milan) ...

oh and a side note the rivalry in the better looking players is hands down won by madrid ;)

Unknown said...

You are right. Its something that has perplexed me. I mean, is it down to the coach? If that was the case, England would've done better. They've had good coaches as well. I think its down to maturity, national pride, and the desire to win the big one which is what does it.

The Spaniards can hardly be called as nationals. Most of them dont even think themselves to be Spanish; but just for this one spectacle, to win it, they were willing to set their differences aside and go get it. The hate that u talked about is much more in Spain than in any other country; because it goes beyond clubs. It's to do with the nationalistic ideals, and yet they won.

Anyways, who cares? Viva Espana! As far as I m concerned, England can continue wallowing in their mediocrity, gives me a chance to laugh at them some more.

Unknown said...

Oh and Yes, madrid has the better looking players; hands down ! :)

zizowen said...

its too bad you don't do random ramos moments :P... you know all guys should have a man crush and may i suggest lil ramos to you for that hhehe anyways you need to check him with his braided lil hair sooo cute...

Post a Comment

Related Posts with Thumbnails