Daily Lessons from Life 02 May 2013 - End of a Good Thing?

I want to write about the demolition of my favourite football team, Barcelona (Barca), by the German team, Bayern Munich, over 2-leg by 7 goals to 0, in the 2013 Champions League competition.

I did not watch both games but read about the 1st game where Bayern Munich scored 2 suspected goals in Munich 1 week ago. Lionel Messi was nursing a hamstring injury. A very rare injury for a humble footballer who had conquered all before him in European football. There was hope. In my mind anyway.

Last night I did not stay up to watch the game though I harbour great hope that with Real Madrid, Barca's greatest rival in La Liga over the last decades or so, putting up a great fight back in the last 15 minutes of the 2nd leg with another German team, Dortmund, losing at 3-4 overall the night before, I thought Barca, a team with some much talent and hearts, can do the impossible. At least get close or closer!

Alas, it was not to be. Messi did not start at all due to his hamstring injury. That is a big blow to any team, let alone a Barca team that is trailing by 4 goals in this match! Still, I was hopefully of Ces Fabregas, David Villa, Xavi, Iniesta (European Footballer of the Year), Pedro, etc will step up. Again, alas, I was too wishful thinking. Barca lost 0-3 at home. A rare result. A rare result indeed as most teams get beat coming to Nou Camp normally!

What happened to the fighting spirit of Barca? The pride? I don't know. Is it because its coach was absent fighting the deadly cancer for the 2nd time recently? Is it because the players have decided that it was a lost cause to chase a 0-4 deficit? Or that they got tired of chasing anything this season since they are almost the Champions of La Liga again? I will never know.

It hurts when your favourite team gets beat. And they got whipped smartly.

Still, when my senses come back to me, I asked myself: 'Has the world ended? Did a building collapse and kill more than 500 people who will never make in their combined lifetime a month's salary that these football stars make?'

When that reality strikes, I know I need not be sad or frustrated. It is just a game. A beautiful game is epitomized by 'there is no immortal champions. Just a lot of aspirants trying hard to dethrone the reigning champions. It is par!' Life goes on. More important social injustice waiting to be righted!

See you Barca next season. Mr Messi, get well. Barca, regroup and entertain us again. Along with the other beautiful game players.