My Greatest Love Story | #KaranganBolaSepak
My Greatest Love Story | #KaranganBolaSepak by Prashant
I may not have the best memory but I remember the year 2001 quite vividly.
It marked the beginning of an11-year schooling life. I am from Petaling Jaya, so it is not a surprise that I went to La Salle for both my primary and secondary school education. From what I remember, I always looked forward to Pendidikan Jasmani & Kesihatan (commonly known as PJK) because it meant a break from never-ending classes and the chance to just be a kid. In any government school, most of the students would end up playing football whereas others would play other sports, such as badminton or tennis, but for me, nothing ever beat the feeling of having a ball at my feet because the possibilities were endless.
I grew up in a big family around me but only my uncle was brought up with the influence of football (and hockey) instilled in him. He played a crucial role in my love for football, not only because of the hours spent training me and urging me to join an academy, but because he always challenged me to improve on my weaker areas.
I started watching football that same year and it was not a difficult choice deciding which club to support for two reasons. One, my uncle was a Liverpool fan and I saw it as a good idea to go against him, only because it seemed logical. Two and most importantly, 2001 was the year Ruud van Nistelrooy signed for Manchester United from PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch striker was my first love in football, despite the bigger names at the club then, such as David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Roy Keane. Ruud van Nistelrooy was fast, strong and certainly prolific in front of goal. He only won one league title during his five years at Manchester United and somehow, he was always bested by Arsenal’s Thierry Henry, but he ended up scoring 150 goals in 219 appearances for the club.
As soon as Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Old Trafford from Portugal, I knew then that he was bound for greatness. I am a huge fan of Cristiano (if you know me, you know) and the story of coming from nothing to being the best player in the world just astounded me. I have followed his progress since he signed for the club as an 18 year-old and 17 years later, he has achieved almost everything he could possibly achieve in a single career.
As a Manchester United fan, watching a football match at Old Trafford would be a dream come true. In 2017, I got that chance and watched my club host West Bromwich Albion at The Theatre of Dreams. Before I get all of you excited, it was a goalless draw and a lackluster match. However, standing for 90 minutes at the singing stand at Stretford End was a moment I will never forget. The famous chants of Red and White were sung loudly, the passion and fire from the fans urging the team to attack and the joy on the faces of everyone around when club captain Wayne Rooney was brought on to replace Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Those are the moments I will always cherish and treasure, because it felt like I belonged there.
Fast forward to 2020, to this very moment. I have played football since I was seven years old, attended numerous training sessions, participated in competitions, lifted many trophies, suffered heartbreaking defeats and painful injuries, and made so many memories. I have my own amateur football team that takes part in social football competitions and it is still going strong. Despite having pursued a degree in Banking & Finance, the best part of me is that I work in football, and moving forward, it will always be a part of me and my life.
A wise man once said, “You can change your wife, your politics, your religion, but never, never can you change your favourite football team”, and Eric, if I may, you are spot on.
Note from padangbolasepak.com: During the Restriction Movement Order 2020 Malaysia to combat Covid19 - Padangbolasepak.com encourages you from home to write essays about our beloved game of football. Can be anything. Why you fell in love with it? Your first game watching or playing? Friendships forged? Etc. Stars the limit.
500-1,000 / more words.
The objective is simple. Sharing the joy of football. Challenge you to write about the joy you may want to share. As well as keep you occupied and encourage to write. Provided that you have nothing else to do. Email us your essay with a photo attached at contact@padangbolasepak.com & we’ll post on the website as well on social media.
Thank you and take care brothers and sisters.