Story Scraps

On its own, a ball is nothing. With a goal and a group of people, a ball can become the only thing that matters.

Its in this way that a single person is most similar to a ball.

Inter Milan vs AC MilanAt the San SiroFebruary 2nd, 2014

As Mario Balotelli pushed the ball through Javier Zanetti's legs, and surged past Inter Milan's last defender, Balotelli thought briefly about showmanship, and the value of good entertainment.

As a professional athlete, that was all Balotelli really did, entertain the masses. Balotelli trained, fought, ran, and showed off purely for the delight of the fans. They paid money to watch Balotelli play, and he gave them their money's worth, he would do step overs and tricks to satisfy their love of the game of football. As Balotelli skipped past Inter Milan's goalkeeper, he knew that he was great at what he did. No, there was no need to be modest, Balotelli knew he was the very best of all.

Balotelli decided to stop before the goal line and turn to face the field, smiling to the crowd as he heeled the ball into the net. Balotelli took everything in. The roars of the crowd washing down across the field, thousands of people gathered to pay tribute to the beautiful game. For these people, football was their religion, the San Siro was their church, and the players were their priests.

Turning and running down the touchline, Balotelli lifted his arms into the air as he waves upon waves of cheers crashed across the San Siro. The people had prayed for victory, and like a merciful prophet Balotelli had answered their calls. Sliding on his knees as he came to the corner of the field, Balotelli adjusted himself so that the corner flag rested between his legs, and began to waggle it back and forth as if it were his penis.

As had become routine, Balotelli had scored at the most crucial moment, and felt akin to a physical God.