Soccerdom or the Soccer Umma

Philip II thought that the Catholic faith would conquer the world. Later the Protestants harbored a similar illusion. Now Islam hopes vainly for a worldwide umma, the congregation of the faithful. History repeats itself not as comedy, but as euphoria. There is a worldwide Soccerdom, ruled now by Brazil. Religion guaranteed its victory. The Brazilian proverb says "God is a Brazilian", a claim for which the only proof is the soccer championship. Brazilian players crossed themselves, and a voodoo ceremony was held to ensure victory. A Brazilian fan was displaying his tee shirt which proclaimed "I belong to Jesus". Certainly the German team did not. The goalie, who was also the captain of the team, looked like a caricature of a Prussian, and after the final defeat he sat on the ground disconsolate and angry.

Brazilians wrapped themselves in their flag which proclaims the Positivist slogan "Order and Progress", which the team certainly displayed, and rejoiced exuberantly. Other Latin Americans did som also out of Latin American solidarity, giving a rare meaning to the expression "Latin America". At Stanford, Latin American students assembled at 10 p.m. for a party which terminated at 6 a.m., with the end of the soccer match. I watched the game briefly, rooting for Brazil, partly out of professional obligation. Moreover I found the Brazilians more friendly than the Germans. Finally, I made a contribution to the Brazilian victory of which Humanity is unaware. I made the name "Ronaldo", previously little used, a popular Brazilian name, thanks to the University of the Air, over which for years I broadcast short-wave programs daily in Spanish and Portuguese. When I traveled around Latin America, even peasants in coffee plantations would tell me they recognized my voice. When a Dean of the University of Belo Horizonte took my wife and me out for lunch, my wife, trying to make conversation, asked him if he had any children. "Yes, I have two". "What are their names?" "One is called Ronaldo, the other Hilton". Strangely, the dean did not realize I was the owner of those names. The heroes of the Brazilian team were Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho (little Ronald). Large banners saluted RONALDO I have thus vicariously a claim to fame.

At the other end of the soccer spectrum, Montserrat played Bhutan in the latter's capital Thimphu for the title "worse soccer team of the world". Montserrat lost and therefore won. It is not clear if the 10,000 spectators were cheering the winner which won or the loser which won. It was possibly the first time the players of that little volcanic island had traveled outside of the Caribbean. Playing in the Himalayas must have been unsettling. Where did the Montserrat team get the money to pay for such an expensive trip?

This beings up the huge expenses of the world championship, not only to the host countries but to the spectators. In addition to the travel expenses, many had to buy tickets from scalpers. There was a large crowd from Brazil and from many other poor countries. One spectator confessed he had no work and had spent all his money to attend the championship games. This reminds me of my distant youth, when soccer was just a rather lower-class sport in England. Special trains would take crowds of fans to the places where their teams were playing away from home. I wondered then how the workers could spare the money for these excursions. I now wonder the same thing on a global scale. I am thinking big.

Ronald Hilton - 6/30/02