Football and Philosophy: Scaloni Is Not a Charismatic Leader Like Those of Old; He Is the Guardian of Style

Pablo Cillo's new book, "Filosofía del fútbol," delves into the intricate connection between the actual practice of football and the vast array of discourses, passions, and cultural narratives that surround it. Published by Del Nuevo Extremo, the book distinguishes between the "fiction of the game", the passionate speeches and practices related to football fandom, and its practical reality, which is grounded in rules and technique. Cillo argues these dimensions are interdependent, shaping how football is played and perceived.

The essay draws upon contrasting philosophical viewpoints, notably that of Norwegian philosopher Steffen Borge, who champions the "beautiful game," and the pragmatic stance of Darío Sztajnszrajber, who emphasizes that "goals are love." Cillo seeks to synthesize these perspectives, analyzing how the general idea of football is understood, the practical aspects like individual technique and strategy that form a team's style, and the aesthetics of the game. He differentiates the pure enjoyment of the game from the sublime pleasure derived from football passion.

Cillo, who also serves as rector of Colegio Palermo Sounder, posits that football's immense popularity in Argentina is deeply rooted in the country's industrial capitalist development. He explains that football emerged rapidly, concentrating populations in cities and diminishing the influence of religious authority. The state, he suggests, required cultural mechanisms to unify a diverse population shaped by mass immigration. Football, being easily understandable and requiring minimal resources for varied movements, became a powerful tool for liberation and amusement in a historically repressed culture. The book is recommended reading before the final match between Argentina and Spain, costing $35,000.