No, I’m not from Sporting. It could even be, so what? But I’m not. Deep down, and being very honest, I’m less and less into football these days. The constant manifestations of hatred keep me further and further away from the sport I was once stupidly passionate about.
I fight against myself to feel pleasure in what I (still) do with pleasure. It’s an uphill battle. However, I am not alone. I have found strong allies in Portugal who are fighting in my favor.
My soldier on the front line has a name, surname and wears green and white: Ruben Amorim. For about six years, it has been the one that, even without knowing it, has helped me the most to keep a silver lining of winning an invisible fight on my side.
Whether on or off the field, the recruit codenamed “Snake Charmer” is mainly responsible for still seeing beauty in a painful 90-odd minute match. For still finding meaning in holding four (or more) press conferences per week.
I was full of praise on the six occasions he was victorious on Portuguese soil. I spared no criticism when he contradicted himself and fled to England by plane. Here it is done, here it is paid.
More than impartial, I am independent. I write and speak what I think. I don’t have a tail tied up. I’m not an errand boy. Yes, I root for the success of those who (directly or indirectly) do me good. It was like that in Sp. Braga and Sporting, it will be like that at Manchester United.
My war is definitely poorer without Ruben Amorim. Portuguese football too.
*Bruno Andrade writes his opinion in Brazilian Portuguese
