Topic- " Soccer in sun and shadow " by Eduardo Galeano
Introduction- Soccer in Sun and Shadow" by Eduardo Galeano is a rich, poetic exploration of
the beautiful game, interweaving the history, culture, and passion of soccer with the author's
personal reflections and experiences. First published in 1995, the book delves into the evolution
of soccer, from its origins to its status as a global phenomenon, highlighting key players,
unforgettable matches, and pivotal moments in the sport's history.
One of the distinguishing features of "Soccer in Sun and Shadow" is its lyrical prose and
evocative storytelling. Galeano's passion for the game is evident in every page, as he recounts
legendary matches, iconic players, and unforgettable moments that have shaped the sport. He
pays homage to both the glory and the dark side of soccer, highlighting its capacity to inspire
and its susceptibility to corruption and exploitation.
The book is structured in a series of short, vivid vignettes, each offering a snapshot of soccer's
multifaceted world. Through these vignettes, Galeano reflects on themes such as the joy and
sorrow of victory and defeat, the artistry and creativity of players, and the political and economic
forces that influence the sport.
"Soccer in Sun and Shadow" is more than just a chronicle of soccer; it is a profound meditation
on the human condition. Galeano's insightful observations and poetic language make this book
a timeless classic, appealing not only to soccer enthusiasts but also to readers interested in
literature, history, and social issues.
Summary- every line in this book is illuminated by an unmistakable passion. as you turn the
pages, you feel a cloying intoxication -- the exhilaration of sports overcomes you… eduardo
galeano is a literary aesthete, known for writing lyrical prose that rivals the best of poetry. here
he waxes lyrical on a topic that all of uruguay is mad about.
Years have gone by and I've finally learned to accept myself for who I am: a
beggar for good soccer. I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the
stadiums I plead: "A pretty move, for the love of God." And when good soccer happens, I give
thanks for the miracle and I don't give a damn which team or country performs it.
Panting, he runs up the wing. On one side await the heavens of glory; on the
other, ruin's abyss.
He's the envy of the neighbourhood: the professional athlete who escaped the
factory or the office and gets paid to have fun. He won the lottery. And even
if he does have to sweat buckets, with no right to fatigue or failure, he
gets into the paper and on TV, his name is on the radio, women swoon over him
and children yearn to be like him. He started out playing for pleasure in the
dirt streets of the slums, and now he plays out of duty in stadiums where he
has no choice but to win. Businessmen buy him, sell him, lend him; and he lets it all happen in
return for the promise of more fame and more money. The more successful he is and the more
money he makes, the more of a prisoner he becomes: forced into military discipline, he suffers
the punishing daily round of training and the bombardments of painkillers and cortisone to forget
his aches and fool his body; and on the eve of big games, they lock him up in a concentration
camp where he does forced labour, eats tasteless food, gets drunk on water and sleeps alone.
In other human trades, decline comes with old age, but a player can be old at thirty. Muscles tire
early: ‘That guy couldn’t score if the field were on a slope; Not even if they tied the goalie's
hands." They also call him doorman, keeper, goalie, bouncer or net minder, but he could just as
well be called martyr, pay-all penitent or punching bag. They say where he walks, the grass
never grows. He's alone, condemned to watch the game from afar. Never leaving the goal, his
only company the three posts, he awaits his own execution by firing squad. He used to dress in
black, like the referee. Now the referee doesn't have to dress like a crow and the goalkeeper
can populate his solitude with colourful fantasies. He doesn't score goals, he's there to keep
them from being scored. The goal is soccer's fiesta: the striker sparks delight and the
goalkeeper, a wet blanket, snuffs it out. And one fine day the goddess of the wind kisses the foot
of man, that mistreated, scorned foot, and from that kiss the soccer idol is born. He is born in a
straw crib in a tin-roofed shack and he enters the world clinging to a ball From the moment he
learns to walk, he knows how to play. In his early years he brings joy to the sandlots, plays like
crazy in the back alleys of the slum until night falls and you can’t see the ball, and in his early
manhood he takes flight and the stadiums fly with him. His acrobatic art draws multitudes,
Sunday after Sunday, from victory to victory, ovation to ovation once a week, the fan flees his
house and goes to the stadium. Banners wave and the air resounds with rattles, firecrackers
and drums; it rains streamers and confetti. The city disappears, its routine forgotten, all that
exists is the temple. In this sacred place, the only religion without atheists puts its divinities on
display. Although the fan can contemplate the miracle more comfortably on TV, he prefers to
make the pilgrimage to this spot where he can see his angels in the flesh doing battle with the
demons of the day. Here the fan shakes his scarf, gulps his saliva, swallows his bile, eats his
cap, whispers prayers and curses and suddenly breaks out in an ovation,leaping like a flea to
hug the stranger at his side, cheering the goal. While the pagan mass lasts, the fan is many.
Along with thousands of other devotees he shares the certainty that we are the best, that all
referees are crooked, that all the adversaries cheat. The fanatic is a fan in a madhouse. His
mania for denying all evidence finally upended whatever once passed for his mind, and the
remains of the shipwreck spin aimlessly in waters whipped by a fury that gives no quarter. The
fanatic shows up at the stadium wrapped in the team flag, his face painted the colours of their
beloved shirts prickling with strident and aggressive paraphernalia, and on the way he makes
a lot of noise and a lot of fuss. He never comes alone. In the midst of the rowdy crowd, a
dangerous centipede, this cowed man will cow others, this frightened man becomes
frightening,cheap soccer cleats. Omnipotence on Sunday exorcises the obedient life he leads
the rest of the week: the bed with no desire, the job with no calling or no job at all. Liberated for
a day, the fanatic has much to avenge. the goal is soccer's orgasm. And like orgasms, goals
have become an ever less frequent occurrence in modern life. Half a century ago, it was a rare
thing for a game to end scoreless: O-O, two open mouths, two yawns. Now, the eleven players
spend the entire game hanging from the crossbars, trying to stop goals, and have no time to
score them.In Spanish he's the arbitro and he is arbitrary by definition. An abominable
tyrant who runs his dictatorship without opposition, a pompous executioner, who exercises his
absolute power with an operatic flourish. Whistle between his lips, he blows the winds of
inexorable fate either to allow a goal or to disallow one. Card in hand, he raises the colors of
doom: yellow to punish the sinner and oblige him to repent, and red to force him into exile. The
linesmen, who assist but do not rule, look on from the side. Only the referee steps onto the
playing field, and he's absolutely right to cross himself when he first appears before the roaring
crowd. His job is to make himself hated. The only universal sentiment in soccer: everybody
hates him. He always gets catcalls, never applause.
It would be easy for us to evade our responsibility and attribute the home team's setback to the
restrained performance of its players, but the excessive sluggishness they undeniably
demonstrated in today's game each time they received the ball in no way justifies, understand
me well ladies and gentlemen, in no way justifies such a generalised and therefore unjust
critique. No, no, and no.
In the old days there was a trainer and nobody paid him much heed. He died without a word
when the game stopped being a game and professional soccer required a technocracy to keep
people in line. Then the manager was born. His mission: to prevent improvisation, restrict
freedom and maximise the productivity of the players, who were now obliged to become
disciplined athletes.
"Soccer & Sun in Shadow" is a celebration of soccer's beauty and complexity, offering a
profound look at how the sport mirrors and influences the world around it. Galeano's passionate
prose and insightful observations make it a timeless piece for anyone who loves the game.
Analysis- "Soccer & Sun in Shadow" by Eduardo Galeano is more than just a book about
soccer; it is a profound analysis of the sport's role in culture, history, and society. Through his
poetic and insightful writing, Galeano delves deep into the many layers of soccer, offering
readers a multifaceted understanding of the game. Here's an analysis of the book
Galeano employs a vignette-style narrative, consisting of short, poignant chapters that blend
historical events, personal anecdotes, and socio-political commentary. This structure allows
readers to engage with the text in a non-linear fashion, reflecting the diverse and unpredictable
nature of soccer itself. The brevity of each vignette captures moments of brilliance, tragedy, and
humor, much like the fleeting yet impactful moments in a soccer match.
Galeano illustrates how soccer is interwoven with societal issues such as class, race, and
politics. He demonstrates how the game can serve as a microcosm of broader societal
dynamics, from colonial histories to contemporary struggles for social justice. This theme is
central to the book, revealing how soccer transcends mere entertainment to become a
significant cultural force.
The book profiles legendary players, celebrating their genius while also revealing their
vulnerabilities and flaws. By humanising these icons, Galeano challenges the mythologizing of
sports figures, suggesting that their greatness lies not just in their athletic prowess but in their
human complexity. This nuanced portrayal encourages readers to appreciate the multifaceted
nature of talent and fame.
Galeano is critical of how soccer has been manipulated by political regimes to further their
agendas. He provides examples of dictators and governments using the sport to distract,
control, and propagate their ideologies. This critique highlights the dual-edged nature of soccer's
power, capable of both uniting and dividing people.
Galeano's writing is lyrical and poetic, filled with vivid imagery and metaphors. His style is
reflective and contemplative, inviting readers to see soccer through a different lens.
Reflection- Galeano celebrates soccer as more than just a sport; he views it as an art form and
a universal language that transcends boundaries. He writes about the beauty of the game, the
skill of the players, and the joy it brings to fans around the world. The book delves into the social
and political aspects of soccer. Galeano explores how the sport has been influenced by and has
influenced various political regimes and movements. He discusses how soccer has been used
as a tool for propaganda and how it can both unite and divide people. Ultimately, "Soccer in Sun
and Shadow" is a reflection on humanity itself. Galeano uses soccer as a mirror to explore
human emotions, desires, and struggles. The book reveals how soccer, in all its complexity,
reflects the broader human experience. The book is also deeply personal, with Galeano sharing
his own experiences and memories related to soccer. These anecdotes add a personal touch to
the narrative, making it relatable and engaging for readers. Galeano's poetic prose and
insightful observations make it a timeless and thought-provoking read for anyone interested in
soccer or the human condition.
Conclusion-
Galeano's work transcends being merely a book about soccer. It is a celebration of the game's
artistry and an examination of its role as a powerful cultural force. The book highlights how
soccer can reflect societal changes, ignite political movements, and serve as a universal
language that unites people across diverse backgrounds.
The beauty of Galeano's prose lies in its ability to evoke the emotions and passions that soccer
elicits. He portrays the sport as a source of joy, suffering, and inspiration, illustrating its impact
on both individual lives and collective identities. The book is not just for soccer enthusiasts but
for anyone interested in understanding the profound ways in which a simple game can influence
and be influenced by the world around it.
In conclusion, "Soccer in Sun and Shadow" is a literary tribute to the world's most
beloved sport, capturing its essence with elegance and insight. Eduardo Galeano's
narrative invites readers to appreciate soccer not only as a game but as a reflection
of human experience and a testament to the enduring spirit of play.
References- Galeano, E., 2022. Soccer in sun and shadow. Bold Type Books.
