Football Stars

Do you think Ronaldo and Messi’s parents had to endure a football being kicked all round the house, upending everything in its path while they mastered their fancy footwork? If so, I will try and turn a blind eye – it could just be worth it in the long run.

I mean with the money they could make off such a career, at least they might replace some of my prized possessions they’ve destroyed in the process.

Speaking of long-term payback, Miss Seven has it all worked out for when she’s a grown-up and I’m a little old lady. She outlined her plan to me the other day:

“I will live in this house mum but you will live in a small flat house ‘cos you won’t be able to go up and down the stairs. Or you could live downstairs, if you like, and I will deliver your meals.”

Sorted then.

But back to the football. This season is the twin’s first at soccer, having switched over from rugby. Big bro still plays rugby for a different club and on the other side of town, which makes Saturday mornings challenging and, thereby an extended family effort.

Master Seven is an all-rounder, good at nearly everything he does and was doing well at the rugby. However, many lunchtimes playing soccer on the field with his school friends ignited a passion for football, of which he seems to be a natural.

Miss Seven, who I’m mighty proud of for giving everything a go, lasted one season of rugby, where she mostly danced around the outskirts picking daisies. So, while I signed her brother up for the season, I put her name down as a pay-as-you-go.

However, I was to be surprised. Unlike her mother, who at her age, would’ve been stoked to simply touch the ball, she got stuck in there. It is a joy to watch her tackling her brother when their large team is split into groups. One day early in the season, the family were up for school holidays and all turned out to watch. Earlier that morning, she had voiced her desire to me about wanting to score her first goal.

Well she did. And the look of incredulity on her face was priceless. Of course, like all young players, she then quickly glanced to see if we had witnessed her prowess, which we duly had. God forbid, should we be looking the other way! She then went on to score another two goals that day and hasn’t looked back since.

Her brother, well in amongst scoring goals, he’s busy performing his fancy moves all over the field so, one day, I had the bright idea to Google a few top players for him to watch and learn new tricks from.

There he sat, transfixed, to the screen, drinking it all in, before emerging with an array of new skills. And he’s been cutting, bending, rolling, scissoring and dragging all over the field – and the house - ever since.

So, for now I will suck it up and endure more disarray and balls to the head (although I can’t speak for the cat), bearing in mind that when stardom comes, I can safely sit back in front of the tv screen in my orderly granny flat and enjoy from afar.