Soccer: War by other means

By Nikos Konstandaras

Sometimes we can be excused for believing that perhaps somewhere in the universe an unseen power is playing games with us mortals. How else can we understand the fact that on the very day that Juan Carlos, king of Spain for 39 years, signed the parliamentary decree ending his reign, his country’s national soccer team was losing the crown of world champion and would return from the New World with empty hands and bowed heads? The two teams which sent the Spaniards home were once Spanish subjects (the Netherlands and Chile), giving even greater symbolism to the defeat on the playing field.

Soccer is not life, but the passions that it stokes, the way in which national teams represent national traits, make it a useful metaphor for life. Life is a series of achievements and defeats. Spanish soccer was always good but not great, until 2008, when the national team won the European title; two years later it won the world championship and in 2012 it successfully defended its European crown. The team won every competition, beating former colonies and others. “We have been at the very highest point,” said Andres Iniesta, who scored the winning goal in the final in 2010. “Now we are at the very lowest.” Juan Carlos, who enjoyed his subjects’ gratitude for his very valuable contribution to the establishment of democracy after the Franco dictatorship, recently felt that his continued presence was harming the institution of the monarchy and he handed over to his son, Felipe.

In soccer, as in life, people have limits. Even superstars Lionel Messi of Argentina and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo are worn down by the demanding Spanish league. Two Spanish teams contested the final of the Champions League a few weeks ago, while another...