By Nicholas Poblete/Staff Writer
Dubbed by many as “The Beautiful Game,” soccer, like many other sports, has the ability to demonstrate its artistic value, both on and off the field.
“You know, there is a famous saying, that the only way to deal with your life is to transform it into art, every minute of your life,” said Arsenal F.C. Head Coach Arsene Wenger in an interview with The Independent. “Football [soccer] is an art like dancing is an art, but only when it’s well done does it become an art. If you see me painting, that is not an art. If you see my wife painting, that is art.”
Back on Feb. 14, 2017, Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and FC Barcelona played the first-leg of the Champions League Round of 16 at PSG’s Parc des Princeps Stadium in Paris, France.
The home team defeated the Catalonia side 4-0. PSG’s victory all but assured their ticket to the next round of the Champions League.
The second-leg was held at the Camp Nou, on March 8. Barcelona had to come back from a four-goal deficit, something that had not been done in the history of the European competition.
As the game was coming to an end, and with Barcelona in need of one more goal to qualify, Neymar Jr. sent a lobbed pass into the PSG box which Sergi Roberto met with the tip of his right boot, scoring the goal that not only gave Barcelona the qualification, but also completing a historic comeback. Barcelona won that night 6-1, with an aggregate score line of 6-5.
After the match, in the middle of the euphoria, Lionel Messi was photographed celebrating with the fans.
This photo was the photo of his life, according to photographer Santiago Garces.
“The image sums up the collective euphoria and the historic feat,” said Garces in an interview with Marca. “Messi is out of his mind, and in the time I have been working for Barcelona, I’ve never seen him celebrate like that.”
Fans are also an integral part in soccer’s artistic value.
Week in and week out, supporters of soccer teams bring with them chants, flags and mosaics.
Borussia Dortmund’s fans are infamous for making away teams uncomfortable at the Signal Iunda Park, the German clubs home. Known as the Yellow Wall, supporters stand on the Sudtribune Terrace, with a capacity of 25,000 fans.
The fans create a home-field advantage, according to defender Neven Subtoic.
“Nobody has the atmosphere that we have,” said the defender in an interview back in 2013 with The Guardian. “To have 25,000 fans behind the South Wall is the biggest difference to any club in the world.”
Johnathan Sivells, a junior majoring in liberal arts, has followed soccer since 2012.
“Every team has their own unique chant, and it uplifts the game to the point where it gets the players amped up,” said Sivelles. “It’s like a pregame ritual, but it’s the entire game.”
Arguably the focal point of the sport is the players on the field: 22 players on the field, but some stand out more than others.
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, nicknamed Ronaldinho, is gifted enough to bring an opposing crowd to its feet.
Back on Nov. 15, 2005, Barcelona traveled to Madrid, Spain, to play against Real Madrid C.F. in a Spanish League fixture.
Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 2-4, at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Two Barcelona goals were a product of Ronaldinho.
After his second goal, the Brazilian earned praises from the Real Madrid faithful, standing up and clapping for the Brazilian star. Ronaldinho is one of two Barcelona players to ever win over the Santiago Bernabéu, Diego Maradona was the other.
In a Huffington Post article, Benjamin Penglase spoke about the style Brazilian players brought to the game. Style that is attractive, but not always efficient.
“One that [style of play] favors individual skill, flair, and a dynamic offense over teamwork, group tactics, and disciplined defense,” Penglase said. “This style of football has been praised for its aesthetic beauty. But its effectiveness in winning games has often been debated.”
For Jean Paul Garcia, a junior majoring in psychology, the time professional players take to perfect their craft is where true art derives. Garcia practiced with the FIU men’s soccer club this season and plays in a local Sunday League team.
“You play good tactical football it’s going to look beautiful,” Garcia said. “If it’s beautiful, it’s an art of a sport.”
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