The game was so called by a certain Pele and how fitting!
The phrase means "The beautiful game". What made Pele to make such a remark and for the millions of fans to stand by it? Is it the relative unpredictablity, the sheer adrenaline, the fierce competitiveness, or the mass appeal. Maybe one, maybe all but there are instances which clear the haze surrounding the game being called so.
Lionel Messi is one of the answers. It is for the sublime skill, touch mastery, breathtaking plays, and swift counters of players such as Messi that made Pele call the game beautiful. A thing of beauty is a joy to watch. And when sublime plays light up the pitch, the aura is palpable. Scorching shots and diving headers can do so far as to increase adrenaline. But dribbling and step-overs can give you goosebumps.
The game never ceases to amaze. Of all sport in the world, most people are most exposed to Football. Yet with every passing day, the beautiful game only becomes more beautiful. Of course it has its fair share of foul plays and controversies. But you sit down to watch one more time.
The game may not today boast of many proponents of the beautiful game. We hardly see a defender do a Franz Beckenbauer, dribbling the ball out of defense! But occasional bursts of magical play sure does do justice to the tag of it being called "O Jogo Bonito".
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