In the days leading up to the start of the World Cup, we asked the chief sports editor of La Vanguardia, Joanjo Pallàs, if he believed this was going to be the strangest World Cup edition in history due to the circumstances surrounding it: Three host countries, long travels, teams from countries at war, a strong focus on business, hydration breaks to accommodate advertising, ticket prices for the wealthy, excessive referee leniency, and the unacceptable political influence, among others.
Read more Win a style
Pallàs answered that none of this would matter from the very moment the ball started rolling. And so it has been. Football, understood in its purest form, has overshadowed the rest of the controversies. Once again, attention has been focused on the game and the passion of the fans. And Spain’s victory is the best example because it most represented the footballing essence. Yesterday’s total dominance over Argentina is indisputable.
Many football fans who consider La Masía as one of the places where the essence of this sport is preserved had divided hearts before the World Cup final. Who do you want to win? Many answered that it didn’t matter because whatever the result, the victory was a bit Barça’s. For Messi, first of all, and for the group of outstanding students from the huge Barça football school who essentially shape the Spanish national team’s play.
Read more Ferran Torres’ goal is worth a race and changes many lives
But this World Cup has not been normal. Politics and the desire to do business have marked the competition. I must confess that I was among those who thought Spain could not win because Trump would not have tolerated handing the trophy to the team of a country he detests. According to his own statements, “Spain is a lost cause, they are bad people.” But it was even more serious for him that ‘La Roja’ would snatch the world title from the Argentina of his good friend Milei. Since Trump wanted to turn this World Cup into another tool of his particular politics, he didn’t give many chances to Spain’s victory for non-sporting reasons. But good play has prevailed over politics, even for the US president himself. Congratulations champions, you are very good people!
