Football is actually a fun game. Especially when the unnecessary fanfare stops when the game is 90 (120 minutes if extra time occurs) is over. I got to know this sport for the first time in 1990, I am old already, when the Italian World Cup was held. At that time the world was drugged by big names who performed on the gridiron. The performance should be entertainment, but there is irony that follows when the supported team/country loses.
The sadness of the players who lost and the supporters who mourned the defeat seemed to be entertainment for some of the people who were in opposition. The gridiron drama that is presented really drains a lot of emotions, but when insulting each other, taunting each other doesn't stop, it will actually be annoying. To be honest, in the last few years I have felt that the enjoyment of watching football has diminished a lot. I don't know what and who's fault I really don't know.
Rivalry in football has actually existed since time immemorial. In fact, it is not uncommon to trigger riots that result in casualties falling. But all those moments are actually not disgusting when compared to the hectic of today's era. The era where everyone can talk as much as they want on social media. Look at how the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid supporters is. How disgusting the fans of today's football stars, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
In my country, Indonesia, what had happened to those both football's fans is really annoying indeed. Without any disrespect to other footballers or teams, the riots that cause by those teams/players really disturbing the football fans that only love to enjoy the game itself. When we try to find out information about our favorite team, the headline of the news full of the haters comment.These situation worse when the provoked article keep published by the newspaper almost everyday just to increase the number of their selling.
In fact, the love and hate in football will always come together. However we need to be more rational in the way of supporting our favorite team or players. Football is just a game that supposed to be enjoy with friends and family. Let's show great respect to the players that fight for the greatness of their country. It could be nice if we realized the rivalry is just on the pitch only. Look at the picture above, the picture that show us how big feeling overcome the 90th minutes in rivalry. The picture of the Ivan Perisic's son that come to Neymar after the game. I don't know what the boy's said to him. But when I see Ney's little smile, I believe when the respect still above of the blind rivalry, there is a bright future to the joy of football in the future.