I love football. But it’s mutated into something else. I know “game’s gone” is a casual term we use for changes we don’t like, but the game IS going.
Ad breaks during each half at the World Cup, expanded formats, more new tournaments, unclear laws. Decisions are being made to cash in every last cent off the players’ talent.
More matches. More shows. More debate. More. More. More. More. More.
More football doesn’t mean BETTER football.
Unfortunately if there is more, we will consume it. It will be broadcast. But if this profiteering ends because the players want it to, we will have the football back in a healthy place.
But footballers are also in a conundrum. Their salaries are higher than ever. Their brand deals are through the roof. No matter the level of talent. So should they resign that wealth for a greater good? It’s difficult.
If ANYONE is going to hit the breaks on the direction we’re headed and really force football to ask those introspective questions that NEED asking, it’s the players.
Otherwise, game’s gone.
200 – Games taken to reach 200 goal involvements for Man Utd in the Premier League era:
295 – Wayne Rooney (133G, 67A)
314 – Bruno Fernandes (104G, 96A)
339 – Cristiano Ronaldo (144G, 56A)
393 – David Beckham (85G, 115A)
424 – Ryan Giggs (90G, 111A)
564 – Paul Scholes (138G, 62A)
Icon.