Azzurri Thread (63 Viewers)
- Thread starter Marceℓℓo
- Start date
Its hard being a neutral when World Cup comes around.
In Asia,its almost like a culture to root for the NT's at the time of the world cup or major international tournaments.
In the sub-continent you actually get more fans of National teams than club teams.In my country for example,there is a crazy fan following for teams like Brazil and Argentina,and this is not just a few years thing but by following them for decades when the likes of Pele and Maradona dazzled the world.
It was not a surprise to see Argentinian NT play friendlies in India and Bangladesh in front of packed 100,000 crowds given the popularity of them.
That doesnt mean they're going to run naked on the streets or something if Brazil or Arg win the WC.They enjoy the game and they'd feel happy to see their fav NT lift the cup.
I was sort of ingrained into this culture.I was drawn into football through the WC and Italy happened to be my fav team so im just going by my instincts.Its hard not to follow your instincts.
Plus i know that India will never be a relevant football team in another two centuries.The same way Brazil is not going to become some cricket powerhouse.These are 1 sport nations we're talking about.So i dont see anything wrong or unethical if u can call it in rooting for NT's.
In Asia,its almost like a culture to root for the NT's at the time of the world cup or major international tournaments.
In the sub-continent you actually get more fans of National teams than club teams.In my country for example,there is a crazy fan following for teams like Brazil and Argentina,and this is not just a few years thing but by following them for decades when the likes of Pele and Maradona dazzled the world.
It was not a surprise to see Argentinian NT play friendlies in India and Bangladesh in front of packed 100,000 crowds given the popularity of them.
That doesnt mean they're going to run naked on the streets or something if Brazil or Arg win the WC.They enjoy the game and they'd feel happy to see their fav NT lift the cup.
I was sort of ingrained into this culture.I was drawn into football through the WC and Italy happened to be my fav team so im just going by my instincts.Its hard not to follow your instincts.
Plus i know that India will never be a relevant football team in another two centuries.The same way Brazil is not going to become some cricket powerhouse.These are 1 sport nations we're talking about.So i dont see anything wrong or unethical if u can call it in rooting for NT's.
As I said before, I don't see anything wrong with being a fan of a national team that isn't yours, I like a lot of Italian players so I'm happy if they do well. Besides, at least in my case I can't exactly cheer for them at club level. I do find it weird when people celebrate like it's their own country though, or refer to "us" and "we" if they're not from that country. And I remember after 2006 it became trendy here for a while to wear Italia stuff, I found that odd especially among people who had no prior interest.
Agreed about the us and we.Sounds almost cringeworthy to me.
But in my case, i started folliwing Juventus through the Italien NT when i learned that some of my fav Italian players play for them.
As i grew older,i became more passionate about Juve and it took the priority.But i still root for the NT in major tourneys and hope to see them do well.Like i said,its hard to let
that instinct go by.
I really dont understand why such a big fuss is made when ppl root for NT's which is not yours.Its common culture to root for a team playing in a tournament as big and as popular as the WC.Its like you want to be part of it too.
But in my case, i started folliwing Juventus through the Italien NT when i learned that some of my fav Italian players play for them.
As i grew older,i became more passionate about Juve and it took the priority.But i still root for the NT in major tourneys and hope to see them do well.Like i said,its hard to let
that instinct go by.
I really dont understand why such a big fuss is made when ppl root for NT's which is not yours.Its common culture to root for a team playing in a tournament as big and as popular as the WC.Its like you want to be part of it too.
It's called glory hunting. I don't see anyone who isn't born in Nepal supporting them. Why is that? 
I don't see a problem with having a soft spot for other nations team. I always want Croatia to do good whenever they play. I'd be the happiest fellow if they had won in 98 but to celebrate on the streets? nah. And as @Ragazza well pointed out, when people start saying "we" and "us" and acting like they're of that origin, they're just fools.
Especially when we're talking about Italians of all people, most likely the most proud and nationalist people there ever was. They'd laugh at those foreign "fans". I'm of both Italian and Portuguese descent and i couldn't care less for their NTs.
I respect Italy for all they did for Football like we did. And for all the Juve players who shone on that beautiful blue shirt, but that's about that. If they crash against my team i don't care where my grandpa came from i do hope his nation is given a lesson.
But oh well, to each his own i guess.
I don't see a problem with having a soft spot for other nations team. I always want Croatia to do good whenever they play. I'd be the happiest fellow if they had won in 98 but to celebrate on the streets? nah. And as @Ragazza well pointed out, when people start saying "we" and "us" and acting like they're of that origin, they're just fools.
Especially when we're talking about Italians of all people, most likely the most proud and nationalist people there ever was. They'd laugh at those foreign "fans". I'm of both Italian and Portuguese descent and i couldn't care less for their NTs.
I respect Italy for all they did for Football like we did. And for all the Juve players who shone on that beautiful blue shirt, but that's about that. If they crash against my team i don't care where my grandpa came from i do hope his nation is given a lesson.
But oh well, to each his own i guess.
It's funny how in my case it wasn't glory hunting at all. It was all because of Baggio. If he played for Viola then in the early 90's, i'd probably be a Viola fan to this day. It was just a coincidence he played for the most successful team in his country.
Same with Corinthians. Club i support since probably 88'. Their first ever national title came in 90' and they were founded in 1910. Go figure.
Same with Corinthians. Club i support since probably 88'. Their first ever national title came in 90' and they were founded in 1910. Go figure.
No matter were he goes as long as he breathes.Very easy to sit and say that.
If it really was ONLY about Baggio,u wud've abandoned supporting Juve long ago.U not only got attracted to the best player at the time but also with success Juve achieved,its natural.
Even myself and many others on this forum got attracted to Juve through a DP or a Nedved but also at the same time were attracted by the success of this team.Lets be TOTALLY HONEST here.We havent abandoned supporting the team because its become a part and parcel of many ppl's lives.Same way there are fans in India for example who have supported the Nt's through decades and still do
I see nothing wrong in that.
If it really was ONLY about Baggio,u wud've abandoned supporting Juve long ago.U not only got attracted to the best player at the time but also with success Juve achieved,its natural.
Even myself and many others on this forum got attracted to Juve through a DP or a Nedved but also at the same time were attracted by the success of this team.Lets be TOTALLY HONEST here.We havent abandoned supporting the team because its become a part and parcel of many ppl's lives.Same way there are fans in India for example who have supported the Nt's through decades and still do
I see nothing wrong in that.
IMO it's not necessarily glory hunting, it's accessibility. Unless you live in the country of the club's origin, it's hard to follow the smaller clubs (i.e. I have a soft spot for Palermo, and found it very hard to follow them this season because they were in Serie B). Likewise with national teams, besides their own people are always going to pay attention to the ones that make it into the big tournaments because it's easier to do so. Plus, smaller countries don't have the familiar players.
Just let me wear my Azzurri shirt, damn it.
Just let me wear my Azzurri shirt, damn it.
