The king, the snow and the new beginnings
A reflection and two recommendations for your new year
Happy 2024!
I believe that the beginning of a new year is a time for filling up our tank with expectation and hope for what's ahead of us in the next 366 days, and I wanted to make the first edition of The Good Football about that too.
My New Year motivation was ‘sponsored’ by Panenka Magazine and J. A. Bayona's Society of the Snow, which became fuel for my Good Football objectives for the new year, too.
Here are two recommendations and some thoughts for you to hopefully borrow some inspiration to start filling or top up your tank for 2024.
The King
The last edition of the great Panenka magazine is dedicated to Pelé, the king of ‘futebol’. I still haven't gone through all the content, but what already impacted me was being reminded of what he represents for Brazil and his influence in the world and football.
“He really had to be black, the most famous man born in brazil in 523 years. a black man who, without being an activist of the racial cause, did more for those of his skin than most of the admirable and courageous militants of the fight against racism.” - Juca Kfouri for Panenka
To think that by being the best at this sport that cannot be confined to the limits of the pitch, Pelé opened a door to a new reality for so many! To possibilities they didn’t know they could imagine. He gave a new meaning to royalty and gave the world a glimpse of the potential that lies in football to change lives and communities.
Can you imagine how much more can be accomplished now with more awareness of this potential and resources to activate it?
The snow
I have not stopped thinking about The Society of The Snow since I watched it last week. It is an amazing movie that tells a powerful real story that will leave you in awe, reflecting on friendship, spirituality, and resilience, to name a few topics.
There are so many things that I could bring up for discussion here but I will only suggest that you watch the movie and, when you do, pay close attention to the character Marcelo Perez, the captain of the rugby team around which the narrative (and the real-life trip) begins.
Marcelo showed to be a leader in the truest sense, and fundamental for the survival of all of those who were able to go home. He rose to the occasion and embodied, as an individual and through his leadership, what we talk about when we say that ‘sport has the power to change the world’. I like to think that sport was one of his teachers.
It was a great reminder that this same power shown in teams and crowds also manifests in - and can only be ignited by - individuals.
May this thought encourage us to keep working to promote the Good Football day by day and step by step.
I would love to learn what are the things that are inspiring and motivating you for 2024 too! Don't hesitate to comment or reply to this email to share.
And as I plan and prepare new content for the new year, let me know what topics you want covered in the upcoming editions.
THE GOOD LINKS ANNOUNCEMENTS
🤖 Ready Sports Global just launched the “AI in Sport” course. Basically everything I know about using AI for better sports I learned from Lucy Mills, so I could not recommend this course enough if you are interested in these topics.
🔜 I am working on a 2024 trend report for football + impact that will soon be available to you, so be on the lookout for that. This is a project I am very excited about, and I cannot wait to share it with you!