Talking “about” Football and Talking “of” Football

Alberto Mudjadju"

Talking about football means discussing football itself as a sport, its history, rules, teams, players, tactical systems, technical aspects, etc. It's a more objective and informative approach. Conversely, talking about football means discussing the subject more subjectively, expressing opinions, passions, and emotions; it's a more personal and engaging approach. In short, talking "about" football is about the fact (the game itself), while talking "of" football is more about the passion and opinion of each individual who wants to discuss football. There's no way to identify which is better because it all depends on the context of the discussion. If the intention is to discuss objective and precise information about football (what happens on the pitch), it's more important to talk "about" football, but if the goal is to discuss personal passions and opinions, it's more important to talk "of" football. Given these particularities, what matters most is what makes each person happy when connected to football, which is considered by many to be the King of Sports (the opium of the people).

Talking about football has its advantages, such as: helping to share information and knowledge about football with others; learning more about football, its history, rules, and teams; connecting with other football fans and creating bonds; helping to develop communication and argumentation skills when discussing football; and proving to be a good way to have fun and relax. However, there are some procedures to follow when talking about football that should be taken into consideration. First, you must learn and understand football, that is, know its history, rules, teams, and players; then decide what you want to talk about within the games themselves, a specific team or player. Thirdly, when discussing each subject, one must strive to be impartial and objective. Using clear and easily understood language is essential, as is listening to the opinions and perspectives of others. Respect for others' opinions and beliefs is crucial, even if one disagrees with what is said ("I don't agree with what you say, but I will make every effort to allow you to express yourself" Didirot), a clear expression of freedom of speech, something that underpins our rule of law. Finally, it's important to remember that football is a sport and should be enjoyable. As is well known, where there are advantages there are always disadvantages. Speaking "about" football, because this sport can be a very passionate topic, and discussions can become heated and even aggressive, as opinions can be very strong and difficult to change, leading to conflicts, since it's very easy to get carried away by emotion and lose objectivity when discussing football; Talking about football can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a waste of time if not done in a balanced way, in addition to creating rivalries and tensions between friends and family, where the defeat of the favorite team can be disheartening and lead to feelings of disappointment.

Talking about football is very important because it helps us promote the sport, from pre-match preparation to post-match, because football is an exciting sport and talking about it in everything surrounding it is very fun. It can also help create bonds with friends and family who share the same passion, and it allows you to share emotions and feelings about the sport (football in particular) with others. It greatly helps develop communication and argumentation skills, as well as relieve stress and relax. However, talking about football also has its disadvantages, such as the potential for it to be a very passionate topic, and discussions can become heated and even aggressive. Opinions about football can be very strong and difficult to change, which can lead to conflicts, as well as the ease of getting carried away by emotion and losing objectivity when discussing football. While the fun aspect of the sport remains, excessive discussion can be time-consuming and should be done in a balanced way, as it can create enemies.

Knowing how to distinguish between talking "about" football and talking "on" football is important because it can help avoid misunderstandings and conflicts. This allows individuals to communicate more effectively and clearly, avoiding unnecessary confusion and arguments, as they will know how and when to discuss each topic. It also shows respect for the opinions and feelings of others, even if they disagree. Discussing "about" football and discussing "on" football are very different things. Therefore, knowing how to differentiate can help keep discussions about football fun and enjoyable, without creating unnecessary tension. It also allows for better connection with those discussing these issues, such as fans (imbued with a more emotional spirit) and sports commentators (who should approach this issue in a more sensible and transparent way for the development of sport in general and football in particular). 

2025/12/3