I lived in Milan for four months and at my first week, I found a football team called Sesto. The coach invited to join it and explained to the other girls:
“She is Brazilian.”
I always thought it was funny this things that some people associate skills with nationality. Anyway, on my first day, as soon I stepped on the pitch, all the girls, the coach and assistant were looking at me. I smiled and the coach gave me a ball.
“Can you show us some kick ups?” He asked me.
I looked at everyone, trying to understand if this was a test or what, but they didn’t say a word so I said:
“I can do four or five but I am not a specialist. I don’t play like Ronaldinho.”
By Berto Garcia, via Wikimedia Commons
“How is possible? A Brazilian who can't do kick ups?” the coach said.
Some of the girls laughed and started running to warm up. I felt a little bit embarrassed but better to face the truth in the beginning. Isn’t it? :-)
Anyway, I practiced some exercises with the girls at the end we played a game. My performance was good and I scored twice. I felt that my Brazilian no kick ups image was better for them. At least, I knew how to play football.
After a month, my team joined the league and every Friday we had to play.
Playing football in Italy was fun and challenging but my love for it faded when winter came. We had few games when temperatures were below 5 degrees and snowing. I was always freezing, thinking about my bed and hot chocolate. After one of those winter games, I got a cold and stayed for four days in bed.
It took a while for me to feel 100% better and I started giving excuses for not coming to the games. At the end of the year, I made a decision: retirement.
I was sad to hang up my boots but today football is for fun, specially if I go to Brazil. I am happy playing for fun, specially when I go to Brazil.
Those girls from Brazil saw me playing for 14 years; so they know my style:
I share my passion for football...
…and for the BBQ after it.
Grazie Italia. @marcelli
Looks like a lot of fun!
My daughter (now 17) has been playing too for something like 6 years. Mostly for fun, but also a couple of years with a very good team.
And as the team's caretaker I have spend quite some time beside the football fields :)
I know that feeling of loving sport and having conflict with the winter weather. I grew up in New England where it was cold half the year, and I couldn't wait to get out of there so I could play golf and baseball all year round. Fortunately, I've spent most of my adult life living in Hawaii, California, and Florida, where its sunny and warm all year long. Great shots and great passion!
ah thanks for sharing your loving for sports! I love to be outside.. that's why I am asking myself: what am I doing in London? :-) Hawaii must be amazing for outdoor sports... I need to go there! California and Florida I visited twice... Great places and yeah... sunny and warm.. that is what I am looking for... Thanks for your comment!
Nice, didn't know you were a Jogador.
haha ..now you know... :-)
People assume since I play volleyball that I am some amazing player that never messes up. Like natural talent runs in all Brazilians. So I always say the same thing.I am not insert famous volleyball player.
That way when I mess up it's not a huge shock. :)
. Cool story, thanks for sharing it with us. What other countries have you been to for soccer?
Thank you @kubbyelizabeth! I know exactly what you mean... I played soccer in Brazil, Milan and England... England is only for fun.. I play with some friends and colleagues from work...
Glad to know you are still playing. Sometimes it can be challenging to find good players. Do you play with guys too?
It's true @kubbyelizabeth! I play with guys but only friends because you never know .. in the end, most of the guys are stronger than me... so I don't want to get hurt!
I don't blame you. In volleyball I like a mix depending on the skill level.