In the moment of a defeat, I like to study people’s body language.
How they let the feeling sink in, or how some people start to hide while others look to hold on to anything that supports their mind-set or misery in general.
Desperation, anger, disappointment, suffering, tears, powerlessness.
There are so many feelings to describe, but it is much easier to share the suffering.
However, ‘share’ is a very strong word nowadays.
Its counterpart? ‘Egoism’.
Egoism is widespread in many societies. Therefore, it makes sense to instead share when the environment is without hate, distrust, jealousy and intrigue. When nobody starts to feel like a victim or perpetuate their own face at the cost of others, then you are truly not alone.
In moments of glory, I do the same thing.
Excitement, enthusiasm, happiness, smiling; the feelings of pure luck make it much easier to share the extraordinary moment together. But you also find self-publicising and selfish people within the environment, who try to get a bigger cut of the meat.
And there lies the danger.
Claudio Ranieri, the manager of Leicester City Football Club, brought his friend Andrea Bocelli – an Italian classical crossover tenor, recording artist, and singer-songwriter – over to England for the final home game of the 2015/16 season against Everton.
The club could have attempted to book Shakira or Lady Gaga, and it would have done nothing wrong in the eyes of generation X, Y and Z wearing the Leicester City shirt on that particular day.
However, Claudio Ranieri stands for certain values and he wanted to show the whole world that Leicester City is a club rich in culture, tradition, integration and family.
Before Andrea started to sing, Claudio asked for respect and attention when he calmed down the crowd at the King Power Stadium, doing so with the movement of his hand.
THEN, Bocelli could start his song – Turandot/Nessun Dorma from Giacomo Puccini. Classical music is a style developed over centuries, and comprises of culture, tradition and values.
I remember Paul Potts won 2007 series of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ with classical songs. He touched the hearts of people from all walks of life. From the Midlands up to Scotland, people used to listen to this music.
Ranieri brings these traditional values into the club; authentic, original – and these are the same values as the ones possessed by the owners.
These values were also on show when he revealed he visited his mother in Italy during the Chelsea vs. Tottenham game, which eventually determined Leicester City’s title success. There was no reason for him to watch the game at home, expecting the press to be waiting outside his house to celebrate with him.
Gratefulness, humour, pleasure – Claudio has consistently portrayed fantastic body language. He conducted the team as well as he did the audience at King Power Stadium prior to Bocelli’s spine-tingling performance.
On the day of his best-ever footballing achievement, he followed his heart and shared some wonderful hours with his mum.
Love and family; nothing is stronger in our life.
Magistrale Claudio!