From Mbappe to Yamal... Can EU Football Team Be Born

From Mbappe to Yamal... Can EU Football Team Be Born

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The European Union (EU) is discussing how to form a single soccer team. Although it is unlikely to be realized, it is noteworthy that it is a political and cultural attempt to strengthen European community identity and integration through sports.

The Guardian said on Sunday that the 27-nation European team can be an experiment that creates an identity and a sense of belonging that Europe can share, not just an imagination. Some people in the European Union have officially mentioned the idea. "The EU national team is a symbol of the community and a means to strengthen solidarity," said Glenn Mikalev, EU commissioner for youth, culture and sports. "Imagine a future in which our children can rejoice over the goal of the European national team."

If a unified EU team becomes a reality, a "European dream team" will be formed in which players such as Lamine Yamal (Spain), Kylian Mbappe (France), and Robert Lewandowski (Poland) will play for the same team. Their opponents will be World XI. They are expected to be special matches that take place about every two years, just like the Laver Cup (tennis) and the Ryder Cup (golf). Former coach Mauro Beruto, who led the Italian national volleyball team, said, "It is not easy in reality, but we need to express Europe's identity and future vision through sports." However, he expressed caution about the possibility of political instrumentation, saying, "These discussions should come naturally from within sports, not politics."

The meaning of the EU national team goes beyond just a game. "This team can be a revolutionary opportunity to build a European identity," said Marco Bellinacho, an Italian sports journalist. "Currently, the global sports order is being reorganized around the United States and the Middle East. With Russia excluded and China reduced investment, Europe is becoming more and more marginalized," he said. "More than 100 European soccer clubs have been acquired by U.S. investors in the last four to five years," Bellinacho said. "The EU national team can be a symbol of protecting the spirit of European soccer."

Of course, 먹튀검증 there are a number of practical challenges to overcome. The stumbling blocks include a tight schedule for international soccer, Koreans' affection for the national team, and coordination with FIFA and UEFA. "In the huge discourse of redefining Europe through sports, this experiment is not just an imagination, but a new project with political symbolism and cultural value," the Guardian said.