The Dynamics of Fame in Sports: A Reflection on Albacete’s Victory

Everyone understands the essence and significance of fame. Groucho Marx aptly defined it when he noted that the street sweeper performs a more essential job than he or Marilyn Monroe; however, no one would pay to see the street sweeper at work, while they indeed paid to observe him or Marilyn at rest.

In professional sports, this distinction becomes apparent, particularly when an event occurs that we label a ‘surprise.’ Often, it is the team or individual experiencing the upset who garners less attention than the anticipated favorite. This phenomenon might stem from organizations’ aversion to seeing their favored teams—those expected to reach the finals—lose, resulting in decreased ticket sales and lower television viewership. Nevertheless, it is the victors who deserve recognition. In these instances, their achievement is even more commendable than if they had followed the expected outcome.

This was evident yesterday when Albacete triumphed over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, with a final score of 3-2. Yet, the majority of media coverage has overwhelmingly focused on Real Madrid. Notably, Albacete fielded 14 players, scored three goals (two by Jefté and one by Javi Villar), and was led by their coach, Alberto González. Given the nature of the reporting, one might conclude that Real Madrid was the sole participant in the match—an even less favorable scenario. Thus, it is essential to respect those who achieve victory, as the essence of sports lies in winning and losing, and Albacete has undoubtedly earned their success.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that the Copa del Rey is indeed thrilling; winning brings glory, while losing often means preparing for more significant challenges ahead. The individuals who insulted Vinicius before the match displayed an alarming proximity to the very sentiments they claim to reject.

P.S. Can you imagine if Albacete were to win the Copa and find themselves in Saudi Arabia next year?