Does football, a sport that captivates millions worldwide, have any connection to philosophy and humanism? At first glance, it may seem disconnected, akin to the “bread and circuses” offered by Roman rulers in the Coliseum to distract society’s poorer classes. During Franco’s regime, the key match of the year, Real Madrid versus Barcelona, often took place around May Day, keeping the public preoccupied with excitement rather than focusing on miners’ strikes in Asturias or student protests. It mirrored the rivalry of matches like Tenerife versus Las Palmas or Tenisca versus Mensajero.
Spain’s national football team struggled until Luis Aragonés, the wise man from Hortaleza, led them to a European Championship. He was followed by the astute Vicente del Bosque, who guided them to World Cup victory, and now Luis de la Fuente, another experienced coach, has brought a second star to the team.
De la Fuente appeared calm and sensible when he shared his reading inspirations before achieving success. He mentioned “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius, one of the five great Roman emperors known for his austere Stoic philosophy. Aurelius ruled during the peak of the Roman Empire, which stretched across Europe and northern Africa. De la Fuente highlighted a poignant quote from the book: what is harmful to the hive is harmful to the bee, suggesting that the collective’s well-being is essential for each player’s success. Some commentators argue Spain lacks a prolific striker, missing out on talents like Mbappé, Ronaldo, and Messi. Nevertheless, the national team demonstrated that a collective approach—supporting one another, making runs, defending together, and following a shared strategy—is crucial for winning a championship.
Marcus Aurelius wrote many wise thoughts in his journals, often during the solitary moments after battles. His sentiments resonate today amid our tech-driven world, often devoid of deeper values. He advised, “Dig within yourself. There lies the fountain of good, capable of bubbling up continuously; if not, stop digging.”
In education, there’s a shift away from the humanities in favour of technology. At schools, if students can choose between Canarian Literature and a computer programme, the vast majority will opt for technology. Recently, Philosophy teachers protested against the potential removal of their subject from the curriculum, successfully halting this initiative. Teaching critical thinking is not seen as beneficial by politicians or big corporations. It’s more advantageous for the system if the younger generation is distracted by screens and trivial messages, rather than engaging with the works of Marcus Aurelius or other great thinkers.
