My favorite footballer is Steven Gerrade. He was born on May 30, 1980 in Whiston, England. He was soon discovered by the local Merseyside football club, Liverpool FC. Few would have anticipated the dreams this wonderkid would bring alive once he stepped to the field. And HE was the guy who made me fall madly in love with football, a bond that never mind what circumstances may come, I will never dream to break. It was 2011, I played FIFA for the first time and I can swear I hardly knew who Messi or Ronaldo were then. The first mode I played was a career where I randomly picked a player from a random team. Fortunately, as I recall that now, the random team turned out to be Liverpool and the player, Steven Gerrard. I then began watching soccer in real life and followed Liverpool and their skipper Gerrard closely. And what influence it had! Most of the traits that I want in myself or I have rather, are courtesy this man. He started for Liverpool professionally as a Senior player in the 1998-99 season. Though he wasn’t technically a one-club man (thanks to two seasons for LA galaxy in the US), its hard to imagine Gerrard in any colour other than Liverpool red. He is mostly said to be Liverpool’s eternal captain as he captained the side for so many unforgettable seasons. A great example of loyalty, leadership, struggle, stardom, and the face of a nation itself for years. In my school days, I’ve been appointed as a captain/team leader/group leader on loads of occasions; and every single time I’ve taken inspiration from this man. A figure to look up to if you want to idealize the term ‘captain’, Gerrard led the side to the great Champions League victory in 2005, often cited as the “Miracle of Istanbul”, claiming an unlikely win on penalties after coming back from a 3-0 deficit at half time. Steve Gerrard led by example scoring a crucial goal at that stage when his team needed him the most. And that is what, you expect from a player or rather, a leader- to deliver at the most important of stages.

Now there hasn’t been any life without problems, and Steven Gerrard was no exception. He came under scrutiny several times due to the lack of Liverpool winning major trophies regularly, especially the coveted English Premier League title. But did he look back? No. Did he compromise his loyalty towards his club? No. Now I must admit I am trying to be no Gandhi but there have been times in my daily life, in school, tutions, coaching that People are always trying to persuade you into their business comforts and interests, especially if you’re good at studies or any other activity that the latter is connected to. Coachings from around the region will always look into draining brains and the same is the case with sport isn’t it. Steven Gerrard nearly got himself sold to rival club Chelsea FC in 2004 over a $20 million deal. But he rejected the offer and what followed is history. There come a time where you know you are working in vain over some task but still, that small glim of hope keeps you up and running. Gerrard once said (over his possible move away from the club),” I’d rather win one premier league medal with Liverpool than I would win several titles at Chelsea. It would give me more satisfaction.”

I’ve seen rises and setbacks of the club, alongside Gerrard in this beautiful journey, filled with fandom, emotions, fights, and happiness. And of course, there will always be your rivals, on and off the pitch both for the players and the fans. Similar was the case with me, I’ve encountered so many people, friends, acquaintances, other fans constantly debating over the lack of a premier league title for Gerrard etc. As you would expect from a rival fan. In this journey, arguing, bantering, placing bets has been a common practice in my life. But just like Gerrard, I too, have tried my heart out never to hurt any other football fan, personally or even over the course of a discussion of each other’s teams’ performances. I have been a part of some great teams and groups at school, been with some really smart minds, and yet many a times I have witnessed the face of failure, the realization of achieving nothing major after entering into any event or participating in various competitions. Same was the case of Gerrard with his national team. England, the inventors of the game, during the course that Gerrard played(mostly captaining the team to major tournaments) failed to impress at the greatest of stages, be it the World Cups of 2006, 2010, 2014 or the European Championships of 2004, 2008 and 2012. Even with the likes of Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Ashley Cole and David James playing alongside Steven Gerrard for England, they couldn’t win a single title in that golden era. But according to the great Pele and the iconic Zinedine Zidane, they said in 2009 that Gerrard was the best footballer in the world at his prime.

So, most importantly, he keeps on reminding me that the number of trophies or achievements or prizes weigh nothing as compared to widespread recognition for your skills and efforts. He may not have won a huge pile of trophies like the players at Barcelona or Real Madrid, but there isn’t a soul who wouldn’t say that Gerrard was always a world class player. So yes, this was my story alongside Steven Gerrard.

@CaptainTiger