The Football Match

MARCELO

“Sterling takes the ball, finds a space, and passes to Ruben. Ruben has it and writes it down. GOAAAAAL! Ruben Díaz found the way. An incredible and unexpected goal.”

“YEAAAAAAAH, GOALLLLLL! I told you Xav, we have no rival. This season we are going for everything. Didn’t I tell you, didn’t I? Hey, by the way, mate, since you’re there, pass me another beer.”

“Fuck off, Martin. Stand up and get it yourself,” Xavier responded indignantly.

“Here come the snacks.”

Mandy and Anna were carrying trays of sandwiches. Anna was Xavier’s wife. They had been married for about eight years, but it seemed as if they’d just met.

Their passion had not diminished, just like mine for my wife. Samantha came behind them with a cooler full of very cold beers.

She put it on the coffee table, and Martin wasted no time in grabbing one. He took Samantha by the waist and pulled her onto his lap. “Martin, you’re going to make me fall, ha, ha, ha.”

The two of them were not married, but as if they were, they had already lived together many years. I thought this year, my dear mate wouldn’t be spared from the knot.

Mandy put the trays on the table and turned to sit next to me. Immediately, I put my arm around her shoulders and continued watching the game.

“Fernandino takes the ball and taunts the Aston Villa defender. The pass goes straight to Bernardo, AND HE SCORES!!!

“GOOOAL for City. An incredible pass, wonderful. Manchester City two, Aston Villa one.”

We all stood up with excitement. ~GOOOALLLLL.~

“We are in the semifinals. We made it, mate.” Martin patted me on the back, and I returned the compliment. Mandy hung around my neck screaming and jumping.

Once we all calmed down, we sat down and started eating. The whole gang was at my house, Martin with Samantha, Xavier with Anna, Charly, Juan, Samuel, and Ruth.

They had all been our friends since we were teenagers. This was my circle, and I knew I could trust them blindly. They were with me because they appreciated me as a friend, not because I was the champion.

Richard joined later. He was training a new kid. He told me that he had a lot of potential and in some ways he reminded him of me. If that was true, poor boy.

“Oi, Richard, how’s the champion going with training?” Samuel asked. He and Ruth were married.

We all attended the same high school together , when I finally had a chance to enroll in one, with the help of Richard.

Richard had arrived and went straight to Mandy to greet her with a kiss. He placed his hand on my shoulder, doing the same with me. I patted him in return.

“To answer your question, Samuel, the champion should be training right now.” Saying that, he put his intense gaze on me.

“Oh, come on, Richard, it’s only one day. I’ll start earlier tomorrow to make up for the time I lost.”

Richard shook his head. “It’s not that, champion. You are messing with your regime. And that, in boxing, is unforgivable. You have less than two months before the fight, and right now is when you should be most alert.

“I told Charly to make a compilation of your opponent’s fights, and he’s not a bad one. The problem I see is that he lacks a good manager. That is why he’s still in the second division.

“You need to study the videos. You have to learn his movements and his weak points. I’m sure he’s more motivated than you are, and his fight won’t be easy at all.

“Just see it in this way, champion: He has nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

What Richard said got me wondering. It was true, I had to analyze my opponent before the fight. Tomorrow, after training, I would start to study him. But not today. This day, I would enjoy my family and friends.

After this, I didn’t know when I would be able to enjoy a moment like this with them again.

Richard joined the conversation with Charly and Juan. They were my training team. Juan was the one who took care of my wounds in the ring. Charly, besides being my best friend, was Richard’s assistant.

The two of them were the ones in charge of my routine and generated strategies to improve my performance. I owed them half of my triumph, the other half to my dear Mandy.

She was everywhere. She was part of my team, also. She was my friend and, most importantly of all, she was my family.

The party went on longer than we had planned. The boys took out the grill and went to buy some random steaks. The alcohol didn’t stop running.

Fortunately, I abstained. The last time I’d been drunk, I had a headache for half the day.

Music began to play throughout the house. We were all having a good time. The triumph of City was also important for my city. This year, it was predicted that from Manchester, new champions would emerge, starting with me.

It was late when everyone began to leave.

“Hey mate, thanks. It was incredible. I hope after you win your next fight, we can celebrate in Las Vegas. I’ve always wanted to go there,” Martin said.

“What, Las Vegas? You will set foot there only to marry me. In no way will I allow you to go without me.” Samantha raised her voice, offended.

Martin turned to see her with a look of “you are crazy.” Samantha started crying when she saw that. ~Ouch!~ ~The show is about to begin.~

Then Martin grabbed her by the hand and embraced her. It was always the same with them when they were drunk. Without interfering, we all watched them, enjoying their show.

“Don’t cry, sweetie. I don’t like to see you sad.”

But Samantha was more than sad. “AAAW! I’m the only one of my friends who’s still single, and I’m already getting sick of you, Martin.

“I swear to you, if you don’t do something about it, I’m going to leave you. After all, there are many men willing to marry me.”

Martin covered her mouth with his hand. “Shh, shh, don’t say that. We can discuss this at home, not here.”

Martin turned to look around him, and all our eyes were on them. He lowered his shoulders and took a stressed Samantha away from there. He didn’t say anything else after.

Everyone else said their goodbyes, leaving me and Mandy alone. She was starting to tidy up the mess when I took her by the hand and led her to our room. “Not tonight, love. Now it’s your turn to take care of your husband.”