Austin @AustinAguiar - Twitter Profile

about 1 month ago

Let me be clear about Cristiano. And I hope it's the last time I make such a declaration. I am a lover of football first, foremost, and last. I was never a fan of Ronaldo, nor did I ever really gravitate to his football aesthetically. When your favorite players are Maradona / Zidane / Rui Costa / Figo etc - players who are collectivist and have a broader vision of the pitch - you just don't gravitate to Ronaldo. However, I will say this. He is undoubtedly as great a player both in talent and achievement as any that has come before (or with) him. I prefer what Diego proposes with the ball. I don't think Ronaldo could ever replicate Diego's heroics in 86. But I don't think Diego could guarantee the inevitable goal against every opponent in the UCL and lead to a 3peat. That is to say - Ronaldo is a pillar of our sport. There is no history of football without Ronaldo. Whether you like or dislike his football. Whether you like or dislike his personality. He has always been divisive - some of it is due to his personality and some of it due to an impossible and deepseated hatred in Anglo-media since 2006 that never let up and that we can all see. I have never seen a player travel to every stadium in England - even his own - and get booed for a year. And the scorn that he has had to face never let up - with vultures ready to pounce st the first sign of trouble. Sport is about the human spirit. Teaching us to persevere against all odds. Consistency, discipline and courage when the going gets tough. THAT is the lesson sport imparts for our children. THAT is why some sportsmen are heroes. What Ronaldo is doing at 41 is nothing short of an UNPRECEDENTED sporting achievement and act of singular heroism. The sheer amount of work necessary and the willpower to fight against the dying of the light to represent his country. An indomitable spirit. If that isn't enough to stir and inspire you - I don't what can. This is beyond commendable - it is inspiring. He has embarked on an impossible mission - to show us that the human spirit has no limits. Do we tell a an explorer NOT to attempt to travel to the moon? Because it is near impossible and fraught with risk? Or do we applaud and cheer on a man in his bravery? Food for thought. But beyond that, the recent deluge of vitriol, wanton disrespect, and media pile-on is frankly disgusting and evil. It is evil because you are spitting in the face of a 150 year old tradition and culture that we call football. The culture we call home and brings together billions of people. Cristiano is football. And football is Cristiano. Whether you love, hate or are ambivalent about him. And for that, a modicum of respect as a fan of the game for OUR game is necessary. To see charlatans and half-achievers and no-names aspire for clicks and media fame and buzz to keep their name going or out of some tragic, personal hate and dislike for a man is saddening. It is saddening because these people do not belong in the culture they desecrate. The culture they weaponize, utilize, and instrumentalize but provide nothing to. Today we reject these people. We won't accept them in our circle anymore. Forza Cristiano. Against the dying of the light.