It's the opening day of the Confederations Cup today! I'm probably the only person in the world that actually cares. Other than maybe Gianni Infantino. For the ill-informed the Confederations Cup is kind of a dress rehearsal for the following year's World Cup. For me when we were all a lot younger, in the era just before we had wall to wall football, it was a bigger deal.
The "I can't wait for the next Premier League season" crew won't be happy! They hate international football?!? It gets in the way. They'd much rather be watching Stoke versus West Brom (makes me want to say, "And it's LIVE!" in a Martin Tyler voice). Or spend their Saturdays watching slightly above average former footballers watch, and get excited about, Burnley against Watford. They'd rather be changing their fantasy football captain to Aguero because City are at home to Palace. They'd rather Wenger was out. Or is it in now, I can't keep up!?
Not me. Give me some competitive international football any day! Don't get me wrong, in the period between August and May I allow myself to become slightly immersed in some of the circus. But I see it for what it is. And it's definitely lost its magic over the years. International football has changed, but not in the same way. Nations can't hoover up all the best talent (and send it on loan to AZ Alkmaar). They can invest in developing young players and hire the best coaches to help them, but there are no Saudi Billionaires or hundreds of millions of television money for coming 15th.
International football has retained some of the charm from the game I fell in love with as a 7/8 year old. It's back today. AND IT'S LIVE!
