Upsets and Downfalls

For those who know me, you'd know that I'm a huge fan of Spanish football team Real Madrid. They had a rough start to the season but picked themselves up and did really well for the rest of the season but last month's Champions League semi-final first leg 4-0 loss against Borussia Dortmund was a really devastating one.

I believed my team could make a comeback on home ground though. It actually seemed pretty possible but I guess it was not to be, even with goals from Benzema and Ramos. Yesterday's (or rather this morning's) match never made me feel so much for the team before. It's funny how a loss evokes more feelings that a win. And Real Madrid's undying spirit throughout the whole match (they played brilliantly) made me feel absolutely proud to call myself a Madridista.

Then I browsed through Tumblr and a bunch of heartbreaking pictures came out on my dash. Including photos of my dear vice-captain Ramos crying. I was tearing when I saw them. :(

Ramos being comforted by Iker Casillas and Marcelo.

Xabi Alonso comforting Ramos.

From a captain to another.

But the most heartbreaking picture has to be the last one of captain Iker Casillas kneeling on the sidelines. After he broke his pinky, he has not played a single match (even after he has recovered) and this is the only thing I don't like coach Jose Mourinho for. Iker Casillas is a far better goalkeeper than Diego Lopez, and he is even hailed as the world's best goalkeeper. And you just leave him on the bench the whole time?! He is the captain, yet he can't do anything but watch, and this thoroughly breaks my heart. But he understands how it feels, this being his third consecutive Champion's League semi-final elimination. And for this I believe that he was the most suitable to comfort vice-captain Ramos. I'm sure Ramos felt that way too.

And Ramos, my dear dear Ramos. He was in tears (as seen from the pictures above) so you know how much the match, the team and the fans mean to him. He had a great match so I believe that he feels worse because of that. Also, because of Casillas' absence, he has been captaining the matches so I'm sure he feels bad, thinking that he hasn't done his part properly.

But here's to you, my favourite footballer: You have put in all your effort and I'm sure the fans see it. You might be the player with the most yellow cards in the team, but you have a strong sense of righteousness and don't condone cheating and diving. You know when you have made a wrong move, and you apologize for that. And when you play, it's a 101%, or more. For that, I'm so proud and thankful for you. For yesterday's match, for the whole season, for being a great vice-captain, and for being in Real Madrid. My love for you is indescribable.

There's still the Copa Del Rey finals coming up against Atletico Madrid on homeground, so I hope the boys pick themselves up again and win it. And Mourinho, please let Casillas play.

I just want to see their happy faces. Sobs.