Fascinated, I watch a video posted on Saturday with a dribbling toddler. Is this real or is it fake? It seems to be conserved reality. The lad is Mateo Messi, the second son of the half-miracle on kicks; 6 years young.
It is almost impossible, as the ball clings to his left foot, as he pings. It looks like the mini-Messi is entering an imitation contest, an alternative celebration of Father’s Day. Where are the other participants?
Hup, he rushes past an opponent, who walks with him a bit dejectedly, because what can be done against the dribbling violence of the ukkepuk? Short cut and swerve to the right, with the ball that is still quite big for the little feet. Then again in the other direction, through the center, between two boys, with a handy jump.
Those two almost collide, off balance when played by the football genes of the Messi family. Swerve to the left again, little Mateo. take out. With the left of course. The ball bores into the intersection. It just bolts. Incredibly handsome solo.
Mateo is a copy of his father, of whom similar videos were circulating when he was about seven years old, although the fields in Argentina were much worse than the perfect (artificial) grass of today. And Mateo’s current skills say nothing about a future as a top football player. Along the way, so much can turn out differently than intended. But it’s a nice video for a Father’s Day, if only for the symbolism. The son or daughter who first looks up to the father, imitates, spreads wings and at some point discovers that he is better than the father (or mother). Or not so well at all, however difficult that may be to measure.
Last weekend’s piece about Ronéll Rosier in was typical de Volkskrant, daughter of former sprinter Nelli Cooman. She is not nearly as good as her mother once was, but according to trainer Henk Kraaijenhof, one of the old hands in the field, her so-called gene package is better than that of mothers. With the right training and motivation, it’s only a matter of time before she runs Nelli’s times, although she seems more suitable for the slightly longer sprint than the 60 meters.
It quickly became clear to me that my youngest son would play football better than I ever could. It is pure pleasure to watch the offspring on the sports field. It doesn’t even have to be better, if what children do is done with passion. And then all those real top athletes who are better than their father anyway. Max Verstappen and Mathieu van der Poel surpass Jos and Adrie, thanks to their talent and thanks to the path that the father paved for the son.
It will be difficult for Mateo to surpass his father as Lionel is arguably the greatest footballer of all time. But that video is already a nice gift on Father’s Day.