There is a very serious virus going around, and I think I’ve
got it bad. It’s called World Cup Fever, and it tends to consume those infected
with it. The virus seems to last about four weeks, and luckily, it only comes
around every four years. But it carries long term side effects, many of those
afflicted with it are never the same again.
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| This level of passion is so contagious |
The first time I caught World Cup Fever, it really took me
by surprise. I was unable to function normally, my mind was unable to think
about anything else. The fever would spike for 90 full minutes every time a
match was played. The passion and joy of the players, coaches, fans, and even
the commentators would reach nearly toxic levels, particularly in the more
intense matches. I found myself completely unable to tear myself away from the
TV during these times, and in between matches would talk about it nonstop and
watch or read as much news about it as I could. I found myself making excuses
to get out of other commitments because of this strange new fever, particularly
for 90 minutes at a time. I was very, very sick.
The virus took hold of me on every level. At times, I could
not eat because of the intensity of my fever. My moods were no longer under my
control, they would ebb and flow with every story line, tackle, scoring chance,
goal, and result of the World Cup. But friends and family became most concerned
about my health when the semifinals and final matches came around. It was almost
deadly there for those last few days, and I may have flatlined there for a few
moments during those penalties that decided that final.
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| The virus has been known to cause incredible pain |
It took a few days after that World Cup for me to regain
some normalcy. I still read up on the news and thought about it nonstop, but
the lack of games seemed to help me make a partial recovery. However, the
infection had taken hold, and I found myself drawn to football like nothing
else before. I soon began watching Serie A, and then specifically Milan with
increasing frequency. Over the years, the infection has taken hold more
severely, and the virus lasts year round. The infection is most severe for 90
minutes every time Milan are playing. Other side effects include severe
withdrawals during times when no football is being played.
But every four years, I am further infected with World Cup
Fever. It alone determines my eating and sleeping patterns. Even my breathing
is impacted by the events that unfold on the pitch. And when I see the fans
with their crazy and colorful attire, hear the amazing passion that they have
for their country’s team, watch the players singing their national anthem with
tears in their eyes, or celebrate a goal like nothing else in this world, I
simply become delirious. The game is simply intoxicating to me, the joy and
passion with which it is played, as well as the agony of some moments makes me
feel the virus in every cell of my body.
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| How can something that feels this good be bad? |
I am not alone, though. This World Cup Fever infects
billions of people globally every four years. The lasting side effects create
football fans all over the world who live and breathe football throughout the
year. The passion is so infectious that it supports a sport that is played from
small children who don’t even have shoes to professionals who make millions of
dollars in every country in the world. But it reaches a fever pitch every four years
and billions of people are brought together by its cause for four weeks of
insanity. There is no known cure for this World Cup Fever, but that’s okay, I
don’t want to be cured.
This post inspired by the players and
fans of the beautiful game
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