Jon Rahm is already, on his own merits, one of the greats of Spanish sport. On Sunday, de Barrika won the Augusta Masters of golf and, after thanking the groundskeepers for the work they had done to keep the grass in perfect condition, it occurred to him to say: “Good Easter, rest in peace, Seve”. Not a word was left. He is not even 30 years old and to say this after a victory in one of the great shows that he has a well-furnished head. On social networks, the ovation he received was resounding.
The Basque – Rahm is Spanish and proud of it – has already shown on more than one occasion that he is one of those athletes who are clear about their origins. First premise, for almost everything in life: to remember where you come from. On Monday, tweeter @amoroscuatro recalled that he spent two hours signing autographs for children at the master’s in Madrid. “I’ll be here until it’s over,” he said to the dwarves who crowded around him. A fan told him he was earning heaven and he replied: “I’m happy to do it”. “Thank you, Jon, you’re the best,” said a cheerleader.
Rahm’s attitude contrasts with another event, in this case very unfortunate, that took place in a very different sport than golf. Real Madrid player Fede Valverde punched Ãlex Baena after the match against Villarreal and, of course, the nets were also widened.
Another basic premise: violence must be outside of civilized life. Whoever it is, any physical aggression is intolerable, even more so in sport. It is unjustifiable. However, there are those who think not. What has been seen since Sunday about Valverde’s action are various reactions. The majority, of conviction; but there are also those who try to justify it. The problem in these cases is that fanaticism clouds the view.
Real Madrid is a club with millions of fans around the world. In Asia there are young people who want to learn Spanish just because they watch the matches of the greats of the League or because they follow Messi. Everything that happens around the white club generates an avalanche of reactions. And there are profiles dedicated exclusively to spreading and defending what the team does. His activity has been intense since Sunday.
We don’t know what happened between Valverde and Baena off the field. It would be pertinent to know it, of course. But nothing justifies that blow. It wouldn’t be too much of an apology, from the footballer and the club. It is sport and the example is the first. For this: congratulations Jon, aupa tukku.
