Footballing journey of the late bloomer.

I'm already 21. As shameful as it is to admit this, I have not had the slightest clue of the beauty of football until I tried watching the 2006 World Cup. Take note, the year was 2-0-0-6. Back then, there wasn't even any intention of staying glued to the TV. I carried the 'what-the-heck' attitude as I switched on the TV to catch a glimpse of the opening ceremonies. I even almost shut it off a minute later after I saw Shakira was on. But I didn't, again thinking, what the heck. The only thing I can remember about the World Cup of 2002 was that Ricky Martin sang La Copa dela Vida in almost every other show that was on. Having wanted to be 'in' and 'cool' at that moment, I thought, I'll give it a shot. For someone like me who didn't care about ANY sort of sport at all my entire life, it was apparently the hype as the internet screamed every single day, 'The World Cup is coming, OLE! OLE! OLE!' I can't imagine being left out. After all, I've already been left out for the past 21 years of my life, not knowing how something like football could be so captivating and beautiful.

And then football fanaticism was born.

When the World Cup started, just like everybody did, I picked my teams. Because I didn't have a single knowledge of which teams and players were good (well maybe except for the overly popular Brazil and Ronaldinho whose name I couldn't even spell and remember until recently), I had to rely on instinct. I was somehow aware of the buzz created by English football as well as its fans. Also, somewhere in my childhood I can clearly remember dreaming to step foot on English soil. So I chose England first. Then because Germany were the host, they became my second team. My third choice turned to Italy simply because I like Italy. Whether they sucked real bad or played bloody well, I didn't care. Finally, it was a toss between Ukraine and Holland. They were chosen again for superficial reasons.

...Finally, Shakira was off the hook and the first game of the event began. It was Germany against Costa Rica. One of my teams was on. At first, I saw it just like how I did any other show- uncritically and uncomprehendingly. That time, it was just a 'game' for me. But that didn't last very long. The running men soon became known to me as defenders, midfielders, forwards. Germany scored within the first 6 minutes. Then again at 17th. Then at the 61st. There was just adrenaline rush. The game caught me by surprise. I appreciated the game! I appreciated A game for the first time. England was not playing until the following day. I followed the game of my first-choice team, as expected, but this time more closely, with my gradually growing level of enthusiasm for the sport. I knew I had to pick a favorite. Then I spotted a lad who seemed to constantly aim for a goal. Frank Lampard. Then came their second game, and third. He was consistently performing well. Right at that moment, I realized he was the man.

Unexpectedly, the group faced an early exit as they were beaten by the Portuguese. Only God knew how disappointed and shocked I was. The team lost in a shootout. Even Lampard missed getting the ball in. I stared agape at the TV screen. It was 530am here in the Philippines. I still haven't slept. I stayed up until that time to catch their game; something I've never imagined I would do for a sport, moreso for a team. But I did. And yet I got disappointed.

Apparently, I eventually fell in love with the game. I've never felt that excited over upcoming and ongoing games. I never saw myself cheering for a team until then. I never expected to be sympathizing with millions of England fans. Right there and then, I knew that the moment the World Cup ends, my love for the game continues.

A month after came the EPL. Again, being a novice to the world of football, I struggled to pick my favorite team. But my initial thought was, it might be sensible to pick one based on the players I liked in the recently concluded World Cup. Most of my favorites came from England, apparently. Then a couple from each of the other World Cup teams- Germany, Holland, and Ukraine. The names that first came up were: Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and John Terry of England. Then followed Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack of Germany; Arjen Robben and Ruud van Nistelrooij of Holland; and Andriy Shevchenko of Ukraine. The question in my mind was, where can I find at least one or two these players?

Surprise, surprise! Indeed to my surprise, I found 6 of them in one team, including my Lampard. Chelsea. Chelski. The Blues. Now, I know that not only did I become one of the biggest lovers of football in the Philippines, I also became a true blue England and Chelsea fan. Loving football. Loving England. Loving Chelsea.

I may be unlike many people who have vivid chilhood memories of football- going to the live games at Stamford Bridge with their moms and dads or siblings or both, buying and wearing football kits until they wear out, screaming with other England/Chelsea fans to share the victory with each other- but I know one thing is for sure. When I'm old and aging, I will have my own share of that. Even if it all started when I was already out of college.

People, the journey of the late bloomer has just begun with England.