Milagros de navidad (SPA-ENG)

Christmas miracles

Christmas is a wonderful, romantic time, full of good intentions, at least in most countries where the Christian religion or one of its variants predominates among the preferences of the inhabitants, however, in many other religions, there are certain signs and celebrations of something similar to what we call Christmas or celebrations for the birth of Jesus. In several of them, it is celebrated on January 7th, which comes from the Julian calendar and I do not want to go into those depths because I would get into a mess from which it would be difficult to get out.

In any case, not all countries with a Christian tradition celebrate these holidays, Uruguay, for example, is the only country in South America where it is not celebrated, a kind of family celebration has replaced it; strange coming from such a close nation. On one occasion I read that in England they wanted to remove Christmas from their calendar and there was almost a popular revolt, I would have expected something similar from the sister country.

Back to the heart of the matter, at this time of year, we remember miracles, and I honestly don't know exactly why. Perhaps the birth of Jesus is referred to as a miracle, and from there, many infer that it is a particular time that affects people's spirits in such a way that wonders are closer to happening.

The truth is that from a sporting point of view, some results of this time may have some hint of a miracle, like what just happened with Atlético de Madrid as the winter champion of the Spanish league. Some can't believe it after the spectacular start of Barcelona where it seemed that the legendary team of the last decade was reborn. Then there is the powerful Real Madrid, champion of champions, but they also partially defected and "only" scraped second place, but this is not over, rather it seems that they are taking a run.

The one waiting for a miracle and a big one is City, once a great champion of the Premier and the Champions League, which has failed in recent times to the point that no one recognizes that great team anymore and even less its coach, who many, including myself, consider the best of all.

And since few sports are going on in this time of winter breaks in the northern hemisphere and summer breaks in the south, I want to talk about miracles that did not occur in the NFL, which is reaching its culminating stage where the teams that will enter the playoffs and those that will have a long wait until next season is defined.

A miracle that did not occur was that of the New York Jets, 14 years without being able to reach the playoffs, not to mention winning the Super Bowl, something that for the New York team happened only once, far away and long ago, 1968 to be precise. And I'm talking about a miracle that didn't happen because the team from the Big Apple hired one of the best quarterbacks on the current roster, Aaron Rogers, who has already been in the league for too long. They thought he would give them the quality jump needed to once again dream of winning a title, but no. It's something like hiring Cristiano Ronaldo at almost 40 years old or Messi at 38 to lead a mediocre team, thinking that with just that great presence they would achieve it. The Jets' management must be very religious.

And since we're talking about the NFL, others thought that if they gave their quarterback the most important contract in the history of the franchise, they would have a great championship and return to the playoffs. I mean the team of all, as the Dallas Cowboys are often called in the USA, they paid a mountain of dollars to a quarterback who, from my point of view, does not justify it, and there they are, without mathematical possibilities of accessing the postseason, although it is true that Dak Prescott was injured and did not participate in several games, however, while he played the franchise record was 3 wins and 5 losses, weak.

We arrive on December 24, Christmas Eve for all of us and although I do not expect miracles of any kind, I wish everyone a good time, together with their loved ones and that we continue to make this beautiful sports community great, but not magically and instantaneously but through our daily work, which is the best way to achieve our goals.