I Only Support Teams That Suck (At First)
This is a One Minute Blog.
Just a quick story or perspective to break your instagram scroll.
Estimated read time: 1 min 34 sec.
Why did you start supporting a sport club like Manchester United, Real Madrid, Chennai Super Kings, or Ferrari?
Here are some typical answers:
Your dad supported it
You’re from the same city
Larger than life player plays for the team (Ronaldo, Messi, Dhoni, Sachin, Kohli, Schumacher)
The club was already elite and successful and it felt good to be associated with that in front of your peers
But I hate these elitist sport clubs.
I use a different method.
The teams I support were not successful when I started supporting them. But they had potential. They were less glamorous. Less rich.
They didn’t have global superstars but a team of ugly ducklings.
And I loved that.
My passion only grew when they were failing. I felt deeply empathetic about what they were going through. I rooted for their climb and I wanted them to win
People who support elite teams feel joy only when their teams win.
But I feel joy when my teams nearly win.
Here are my favorites
Athletes: Rahul Dravid, Kevin De Bruyne, Dennis Rodman, Novak Djokovic, Andre Agassi, Stephen Curry
Teams: Kolkata Knight Riders, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid
KKR didn’t even qualify for the playoffs in the first 3 years of the IPL
Manchester City weren’t expected to ever outrank United while Sir Alex Ferguson was alive
Dortmund and Atletico were never league favorites
None of these teams were successful 15 years ago.
Today, they’re strong. But still not elite.
I hope they stay that way.
Because the moment they become galácticos, I’m out.
But lately, a few elite individuals have made me rethink this philosophy.
Maybe, greatness deserves a second look.
I’ll write about that soon.