July 11th 2024.
As the final whistle blew and the cheers erupted from the Wembley Boxpark, it was clear that England had done it - they had secured their spot in the Euro 2024 final. And amidst all the celebrations, it was their coach, Gareth Southgate, who had a different thought on his mind. "We all want to be loved, right?" he said, reflecting on the team's historic journey to their second consecutive Euros final.
For Southgate, football - and all sports, really - is about love. It's that feeling of intense connection and joy that permeates through every fan as they watch their team score a goal. It's the mental link that unites us with the players, the team, and even the wider society. And in that moment, we are all part of a community, fulfilling our innate need for human connection and belonging.
And this is why love is so important to human society. It's what drives us to empathize with others and collaborate in shared stories. People seek this connection everywhere, whether it's through joining a five-a-side team, supporting a non-league team, or finding solace in a chess club. Southgate understands the power of this love, even if his male friends may still struggle to express it openly.
But Southgate has shown his players that they are secure in this interconnected whole, even if they are not the star players on the team. He has created an environment where they are respected, supported, praised, and cared for - regardless of the results. And that, to Southgate, is what love truly is - a positive regard that transcends any conditions.
This love has given the England team the security to consistently perform at their best in major tournaments, reaching new heights and confidently climbing up Maslow's hierarchy of needs. And as they face the final on Sunday, they have the opportunity to reach the pinnacle of human growth - what Maslow calls "transcendence."
But while the team may have found this love and security within their own community, Southgate acknowledges that it has been harder to find outside of the team. And that's okay - everyone has the choice to react however they want to the early stages of the tournament. They can deny Southgate's influence, criticize players like Harry Kane, or belittle their opponents. But now, as they stand on the brink of a major final, it's time to put all that aside and just enjoy the moment.
After all, seeing your national team in a major final is a rare gift, and one that should be celebrated with excitement and joy. As Adele - who was in attendance at the semi-final - would agree, sport is a source of happiness and joy, and Southgate reminds his players of the immense responsibility they have to give millions of people lasting memories every time they wear the England shirt.
For the writer, this England team has already completed their job - they have given countless moments of exhilaration and unexpected happiness. From watching games with unlikely companions during the 2018 World Cup to the unforgettable moments of this year's tournament, the memories are etched in gold.
And as the final approaches, the writer reminisces on some of those moments - from watching Jude Bellingham's "bicycle kick" in disbelief to shedding tears at Bukayo Saka's perfect penalty. And despite the nerves and doubts, the team has made it to the final, and for the writer, that is already a form of transcendence.
But no matter the outcome of the final, the writer urges everyone to simply enjoy the moment and share the love. Because in the end, that's what the game is all about. And as the coach of the Spanish team joked about seeking revenge against England's Cole Palmer in the final, it's clear that the love for the game transcends rivalries and brings people together in celebration.
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