Soccer Madness

Apologies to Matt Groening, but I’m borrowing this classic Simpsons vignette. Get in touch with me if its a problem.

There’s really no other conversation this week, or last week, or for the next couple of weeks following. And Australia’s politicians and their groupies in the press and activism circles, AKA our most narcissistic people, just can’t bear the attention not being on them.

It’s all on the team, on the Socceroos, who are anything but attention-seekers. Used to flying under the radar and being out of the mainstream view, they approach their brief spotlight of fame with a refreshing sense of casual humility and cheerfulness. I think thats why the whole nation loves them and gets behind them so much.

This is the opposite of the dynamic in South America or Western Europe traditionally, where the soccer (AKA futebol) stars are all major celebrities and get too many of the trappings of fame glittering around them.

I’ve got more to ramble on regarding this topic but wanted to get this post out of the way as I’m a bit behind and my one or two readers mightve assumed i’d dropped off the radar. No I’m still here.