Tags
Competition, Ego, Emotions, Euro 2012, Italy, Mario Balotelli, Respect, Solid, Sunday Post, Uganda
When I saw Mario Balotelli, 21 years old, strike this pose following a spectacular, adrenaline driven 2nd goal during the Euro 2012 semi-final championships, my mouth flew open in shock.
The first thing I thought (being an Italy fan) was OMG! he’s going to get a Yellow card! OH NOOOOoooooooooooo!
This post is part of a weekly feature that is hosted by http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/ where Jake provides a word of Inspiration and participants post according to their conception of the word. This Sunday Post word is SOLID.
The second thing I realised was Mario was so pumped full of emotion that he completely bi-passed logic when he removed his shirt following the goal. His emotions took over his senses and there was no going back. This shot was easy to obtain as he stayed in this position for more than anyone I had seen celebrating a goal. Why? because in my opinion this was not a celebration as much as a statement. A statement of his history, abilities, his up-bringing and ego. Mario’s goal was not just a goal – It was personal. It was a message sent to every child in Uganda and a message to the world that he is a Warrior who would take on the world if need be. His stance told his adoptive Mother that she aided in building a strong focused man out of a desperate boy and told his brothers all over the world that he was their hero. A man to emulate, a role model and a man to respect.
While some might categorise him as an arrogant hot-head that put his team’s chance for a 1st place finish in jeopardy (If he got another yellow card he would not play the final. If he got another yellow card Italy would have to play one man short during this game also), I didn’t see his gesture that way.
I saw him as his emotions showed him – a SOLID WARRIOR with a fundamental message of significance.
Bravo! Mario Balotelli, who did the right thing by immediately embracing his Mother once the final whistle blew demonstrating a SOLID relationship based on respect, gratefulness and LOVE. To read further about their relationship and the dedication of his goals – http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/mario-balotelli-dedicates-goals-to-his-mum-945043
I am pretty sure I need not point out the other SOLID quality that Mario possesses other than the natural ability to find the net…………………. Girl look at that BODY. He works out!
SOLID
Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Lesley
Mario Balotelli (Photo credit: DrabikPany)
(Taken from Jake’s site)
Here’s how the weekly photo Competition works:
1. Each week, we’ll provide a theme for creative inspiration. Show the world based on your interpretation what you have in mind for the theme, and post them on your blog anytime before the following Sunday when the next photo theme will be announced.
2. Subscribe to jakesprinter so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.
Inspiration Import 
He looks real solid.
LikeLike
Heehee Indeed he does 😉
LikeLike
Pingback: Sunday Post: Solid like a Rock « Positive Parental Participation
Lovely to meet you, Lesiie, through Jake’s Sunday Post. 🙂 I love your vision of solid…and enjoyed seeing a solid man’s relationship with his mother…showing that a strong man can have a sweet vulnerablity as well!
LikeLike
And lovely to meet you too. I just visited your site and love the premise and message of your book and your encouragement of the importance of both family and early learning. Congratulations for working at such an important cause.
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Leslie! In the spring, I donated 20 copies of the book to libraries across the country. Next month, I’ll be opening nominations again, this time for private and public preschools.
LikeLike
Hee hee… As a German hoping for the German team to win I was not thrilled at all by that gesture of Mario Balotelli. My first thought was: “What an …” 😉
Yet, after having digested that special game (and yes, from what I have seen Italy did deserve to win) and breathed through a bit, I have seen some reviews of this scene. And I could see that it was personal, yes, but not towards the German team. It was towards something about his own life.
You have pointed this out very well and I agree with your observations. 🙂
LikeLike
😀 I was sure that Germany would be stronger as they are physically so much bigger and technically really tight. But then didn’t Greece win the world cup recently !
Such is the joy and the sorrow of the Sport that ties the World together.
LikeLike
Yes, you say it – the joy and sorrow of the sport… 🙂
Actually I believe it was the European cup that Greece won some time ago – as a huge surprise an I guess most of all for the Greek team themselves! (and with a German coach, btw 😉 )
I had hoped that the German team would step beyond their big fear towards Italy (never won a Game against them in such a tournament) as they definitely had the skills, this year. On the other hand they gave a good example what happenes when you base your decisions on fear instead of your own strengths. That’s also an important message.
However, after watchng the final game of this year’s tournament I doubt that anybody would have had a chance to beat the Spanish team. And it is always fun to see them win (a bit less for me, though, when they bet the German team some time ago…) as they really know how to celebrate!
LikeLike
Psychology often rules in sports and I think superstition is a big factor. A win or loss also has such a tremendous effect on the people of the country.You are right, it was the Euro that Greece won.
I see I have found a fellow soccer enthusiast! I used to watch so much more but limit myself to bigger games now.
LikeLike
My answer got “eaten” twice, now – so: all good things are three!
I really only follow the European and World cup but, yes, I do like football (soccer)!
I agree on your perspective on how psychology and superstition as an effect on the players. I also believe that as much, as a win or loss has an influence on the home country of a team – the attitude of the country (people) influences the players, as well. A two way ticket, like so often in life.
Germany is a good example for that. People like to look for the mistakes and to find reasons to moan. Finally it ends up in one of our players saying: “One could think that we were to blame even if we would win the world cup in this (European) tournament.”
That is another reason why I like your article, above. It reflects on a deeper level and is focussing on love and understanding instead of looking for mistakes.
LikeLike
LOL Every country has their reasons for not winning. Italy was Notorious for Blaming the bad Refs, The England team blamed the hot weather ! Over paid babuskas but I love it.
LikeLike
* grinning * – Exactly! 😉
LikeLike
I confess that I only saw Portugal games at Euro and even in Portugal team I wasn’t recognizing all players 😀
But I noticed Mario on that game that he scored 2 goals and I asked “Who’s that guy?” and someone told me his story. I did see he went to hug a lady in the crowd, but I thought It was a random person, not his mother 🙂 I’m sure she’s a warrior too, can you imagine the kind of preconceptions she had to deal all her life since she adopted that little guy from Uganda? In Italy?
LikeLike
I too was very curious and looked up his story as I was perplexed as to how he had such an Italian name!
His mother took on a giant long before he became one because as you point out, within the European culture an outside adoption 18 years ago would have been the talk of the town forever.
LikeLike
Great interpretation for this week theme ,Thanks for sharing my friend 🙂
LikeLike
A Pleasure Jake – I have been meaning to join in for some time now. I had the time today. I like the word competition even if there is no winner. Competition is a huge factor in my life – contrary to what my personality reveals. 😉 Life’s like that!
LikeLike