Fearing the celebration

The goal is the greatest moment of football, and there is no doubt about it. And when we score an important goal, we want to celebrate and share the joy with the teammates and rooters. I always say that the goal which I most celebrated was the one in the final match of the Libertadores da América Cup against Cobreloa. For all that we faced in that game, for the difficulties, the goal wasn’t even the most beautiful, but was the most important and I celebrated it intensely. Today’s Corner is about the celebration of goals.

Recently, I met some of the teammates from that Flamengo squad: Rondinelli, Julio César Uri Geller, Andrade and Adílio. Together, we remembered a very curious story involving Rondinelli, one of those athletes who played even injured or with the face bleeding. He was so brave that the fans started to call him “God of Courage”. And he always transmitted such vigor to the team.

Of course, it was important to have a teammate like him, who motivated the group and showed that the game was never lost. He was tireless.

Rondinelli also celebrated each goal scored by the team with a lot of enthusiasm. It was common for us to build that human pyramid to celebrate together when the ball hit the nets. And almost always Rondinelli was the last to join the party. But he always approached as if he was tackling... he jumped over us and hurt whoever was in the middle. He did not even realize it, but he left some marks in the moment of celebration.

- Rondinelli, take it easy. Your elbow hit my eye – one of us complained.

He promised to be more careful in the next time.

And then in the next goal, he did it all again.

- Come on, you hurt my rib with your knee – another teammate said.

- Trust me, next time I will go easier – the God of Courage answered.

And game after game, one of us visited the medical department to put some bandage – all it needed was a celebration with Rondinelli. Until, we had an Idea that could put an end to our problems...

- Guys, we have to make it stop. It will not work to talk to him, we must do something.

And so we did...

Our plan was set for the next game. And it did not take long for our team to score a goal. Immediate action, we all ran for the celebration and Rondinelli came in last. And then the sign was given:

- Now... lets open!!!

And then Rondinelli jumped in the empty space, with all of us opening the circle for him to not fall over us. We returned to the game. And after the final whistle, he complained but made a promise to the whole group.

- Guys, I hurt my arm today... but that’s all right, I promise to not jump over you anymore.

It was a relief to the team and a saving of bandage and adhesive plaster. Great Rondinelli, a fantastic teammate who holds the deserved title of “God of Courage”.


04/08/08.


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Previous articles:

04/08/08 Fearing the celebration
23/04/08 Tall grass, low grass...
19/03/08 The homework
10/01/08 The guy with a funny name
11/10/07 The ultimate face-off
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