Football is a part of life. One of the best and more joyful parts of life for us supporters. And being a part of life, it works like everything else in the real world. Our work life, our family life is not different from a football club’s life. A club is not run in a completely different dimension than the one we all live in. Football clubs, footballers, coaches and every single football club employee are guided, praised and punished the same we do in our “normal” jobs.

That should be transparent to everyone who follows football. Sadly, there’s a growing wave of supporters that idolize players and put them beyond reproach, beyond the same kind of treatment we would get while performing a “normal” job. No praise is good enough, and not one critical word can be uttered. These players never fail, are completely committed and act professionally at all times, even when they clearly are not. Meritocracy is optional, in a sport where it matters the most.

Everyone fails. Everyone slips, or goes through a stretch of bad form. Things is: such obvious statement is not even considered by these fans. They are not called “fanboys/fangirls” out of nothing. They put their personal feelings towards “their” players beyond reason and accountability. They live in a fairy tale with knights in shining armor. Only these knights are footballers in a football kit that usually aren’t worth of wearing it again.

Any company would fire an employee that started really well, had 3 excellent years, but started to arrive late on meetings, not really performing at the best of their capabilities, and living off their past successes more than actually fighting to achieve greatness again; acting like that for 2 full years. We would not find it odd if a company would fire such employee. Now imagine the same with a footballer. Common sense would say the same rules count. After all, meritocracy is the one thing one can rely on to “make it” in life. You work hard, you merit praise and success. It’s not hard to grasp that.

Any adult relationship wouldn’t be sustained after years of neglect, lack of respect and effort. You don’t stay with someone because they were really good to you in the first 2-3 years. If they cheat, lie and don’t treat you with the respect you have earned and expect, you send them packing. Again, just common sense.

Fanboys/girls act like mothers. The only creatures on Earth that would allow someone to fail for years, be given several new chances but never really give up on that person are mothers. Mothers act following their hearts, never reason. They get to do that, bless them.
When you do the same with a multi-millionaire footballer who has no idea of your existence, or you unwavering support for him, you gotta revaluate your choices and view of the world. The relationship is completely out of balance, and not in your favor.

Football is just like real life. People who deserve constant praise, love and support, in healthy relationships, are people who are trying hard, giving their best and proving their worth every single day, every single chance they get to. That goes for any husband or any employee. If you work hard for your family, not only you are honoring them, but the trust your company put on you. All goes together.

People are criticized in the real world, every day. People that grow and achieve success learn to listen to their critics and actually work on what they are doing wrong. And that is a constant activity. No one is great indefinitely. Ups and downs are part of life, and it’s how you react to the downs that dictate how high your next up will be. Being criticized should be welcomed at all times, especially when you lack what most footballers do: self-criticism.

I myself am considered a “hater”. A few minutes ago someone accused me of using certain players as “scapegoats”. I’m called these things because I’m critical of players like Daniel Alves, Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas. The average “fanboy” (they are all average), think someone is never entitled to criticize their adored players. If you utter a critical word towards their idols, you are a “hater” automatically, someone who is saying that because they personally do not like their idols, for whatever reason, or is envious of them and their swell multimillionaire lives. Actual facts, stats, and the opinion of rated professional journalists are all gibberish to them.

They fail to see being critical towards players that haven’t taken their jobs seriously for 2-3 years is the only way said players will be able to return to their peak. If after 3 years the players keep acting the same, keep making the same mistakes and showing the same lack of professionalism and respect towards the club that pays them handsomely, they are not gonna start correcting their mistakes by themselves out of nothing. Being jeered by the Camp Nou will surely sends a warning.

“Fanboys/girls” will only be able to enjoy their players to the full when they accept the fact most “haters” are only being critical cause they want all players in a football club to perform at their peak and give their best every single match, every single week, every single training session. That’s the only way a club can win titles. Just ask Simeone. So, “fanboys/fangirls”, since this is the last time I will bother to answer any of you: be thankful we “haters” exist.

If your fallen idols are to again perform at their best and actually earn to right be called “legends”, it’s people like us who are gonna make sure they get back to working hard after slipping. Because they surely will. Being a human being guarantees that.