Whilst I aren't what many consider to be a football fan, I do like watching the odd game of football (or soccer to those American/Canadian readers) on TV. There seems to be a unity between people when watching sports for entertainment. People enjoy the game. Over 100 thousand people in the UK alone tune in every week to see their team or a vital match being played.

So what path am I leading you on here. Well, it's the extortionate wages that the professional footballer seems to demand.

To want such a high rate of pay for such a short amount of time working is simply ridiculous. I appreciate that the wages earned today will pay for the lifestyle of tomorrow but are we seriously meant to believe that said footballer with his intelligent approach to gain such a high splendor would not have the smarts to start a small business, rake in some cash, and also work similar hours a week when his career's over?

I realize I may be treading on common ground with the wage thing, and I applaud any one of them making said amount of money promoting their talent, but...

Whilst watching an international game of football, the country versus country kind, I was shocked to see the performance of some nay most of the players.

I was watching a ninety minute game of two teams containing the best of the best. The pinnacle of the footballing leagues. I was astounded to view the players making their way to the opposing end of the pitch, aiming for that twenty-four by eight foot target, taking the shot... and watching the ball fly right over the bar. Like I said before, these are the "best of the best!"

You could argue that they are trying to place the shot to beat the keeper but I fail to see that's the case when the slow motion replay shows that in the few seconds before and taking the shot they don't look up! How do they know if the keeper is then on the left of the goal, the right of the goal, or discussing last nights TV with the stewards on the touchline?!

If these are truly the greatest players in the league then the scoreline would be much higher than the final whistle shows.
Are these players really worth the money? Basketball stars like Micheal Jordan or Dennis Rodman command a huge salary, but the score regularly enters triple figures... and they only play for 48 minutes!

Learn more about this author, Paul Cartmell.
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