Category: Football

Today’s the Champions League Final in Rome. For the first time in ages, the two teams competing are actually both current champions of their respective leagues – Manchester United from England, and FC Barcelona of Spain. The thing is, who should I give a shout for and who would I rather see going home empty-handed?

In ye olde days, tradition in this situation would be to shout for the “home” team – in this case Man U. The thing is, they’re not much of a home team now. Followed by more people outside of their residential city then in, managed by a guy from another country, owned by an American gnome and featuring players predominantly from other nations.

Barca are no better with over half their squad being non-Spaniards – although in the fairness of balance both teams could field good squads under the bandied-about 6+5 rule.

Both teams are international phenomena, with supporters worldwide who’ve never even been to the relevant country, let alone the city, stadium or a game. But isn’t that just football, these days? Both have a lot of success in their past  and a lot of people will naturally dislike a winner. Others will flock to them.

I can see a lot of English supporters pulling for Barca. Conversely, I can see a lot of Spaniards crossing their fingers and hoping that Man U do the job. It’s a difficult decision to make.

But I’ve made it.

Eventually, the decision – for me – hinged on one word and one word alone: Ronaldo.

I just want to see the diving, pretentious, self-centred, arrogant little bastard in tears at the end of the night. I don’t care one way or the other about any of the Barcelona squad. Most of the rest of the Man U lot I have no strong opinion on. But I bloody hate Ronaldo.

And for that reason I’ll be silently cheering on Barcelona.

[As a quick aside, I hear there are worries of violence in Rome and that a large area has been served with a temporary drinking ban to help prevent this. I hope every single fan going there to watch the game has an awesome time and comes home in one piece. It’s still only a bloody game.]