In the faint light of the television, with exhausted eyes and heavy eyelids, a devoted legion of football enthusiasts gathers in the dark hours of the night to revel in their passion. From League matches to the UEFA Champions League and the World Cup, these passionate fans forsake sleep for the excitement of the beautiful game. But what motivates them to wake up, and what consequences do they face?
Late-night football watching has become a routine for many, ingrained into their daily lives. However, the effects extend beyond sleep habits, significantly impacting the lives of these nighttime observers. They discover themselves traversing their daily lives in euphoria, dealing with exhaustion and impaired attention. Tasks that previously were easy become challenging duties as individuals try to function on little sleep. The influence on physical as well as mental wellness cannot be underestimated. Sleep deprivation has been related to a wide range of health problems, including increased stress, reduced cognitive enactment, and a weaker immune system.
Yet, this nocturnal fascination makes the mind suffer just as much as the body. Football fans can experience tremendous emotions ranging from exhilaration in triumph to depression in failure. Every match is a rollercoaster of excitement and sadness for those who are emotionally committed to their teams. The never-ending cycle of expectation and disappointment can harm their mental health, causing anxiety, melancholy, and mood swings.
For instance, the frustration among fans of Barcelona has grown to saturation point because the once-dominant team has struggled in the UEFA Champions League since their last victory in 2015. The wounds of humiliating losses, like the Anfield and Roma tragedies, remain as irritating reminders of their downfall from glory. Another low point was the crushing 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich, which left supporters in shock. Most recently, the humiliating result against PSG only reinforced the faithful's disappointment.
SadmanSakib, a devoted Barcelona fan, expressed his frustration, saying, "It felt like a dagger to the heart staying up all night for this crucial match. We make so many sacrifices for our beloved Barça only to be disappointed. When will our team rise to the occasion and reclaim its glory?"
On the other hand, Niaz Mahmud, a Real Madrid fan, shared, "I had a sleepless night, but it was worth it! Seeing our team triumph over giants like Manchester City fills me with pride. These are the moments we live for as Madridistas - the sweet taste of victory after enduring the darkest hours."
"We basically make our mind to sacrifice night's sleep for 2/3 nights a week, struggle at the office the next morning, and try to come back home early to have some sleep," shared AhnafAbir, an Arsenal fan from Dhaka's Dhanmondi area. His friend, Moinul Islam -- a Manchester United fan, joked, "Arsenal fans have the advantage as their matchdays (for UCL) are mostly on Thursday nights!"
For the night owl football fans, even their daily life gossip revolves around football. As Abir mentions, "During lunchtime at the office after every match day, we become experts and analyze the game at our own discretion. We defend our beloved clubs and banter about the rivals; that's the most normal thing in a football fan's regular life."
The FIFA World Cup is another major event that people from all walks of life in Bangladesh love watching. Despite the time difference, the devoted fans stay awake till the early hours, driven by adrenaline and a passion for the game. Although their country's national team may not be participating at the highest level, the excitement of viewing football's most wondrous spectacle is limitless.
Social media has evolved into an essential component of football supporter interaction in the digital era. Late-night watchers use networks like Twitter, Facebook and Reddit to talk, make predictions, and celebrate their favourite players and clubs. However, the internet is also fertile for toxicity, with competing fans engaging in heated disputes, hurling insults, and constant trolling.
Moinul shared, "Debates on football are sometimes so heated on social media that they lead to the end of friendship and further toxicity like personal attacks. However, most sensible fans only troll sarcastically without hurting anyone."
"At the end of the day, it's just a sport and is meant to entertain us. Social media debates, memes, and banters are all part of this entertainment arc."
Abir, on the other hand, isn't bothered much by the toxicity. Rather, he enjoys healthy debates: "One of my favourite pastime activities on Facebook is going through long conversations in the comment section. Attack, counter-attack, memes, stats, logic, comparison and whatnot!"
The sheer delight of being a part of something bigger than oneself might motivate people rather than the awards or the accolades. And in that shared enthusiasm, they find a sense of connection that spans time and place, rendering the sacrifices of the night look little in contrast. That's why football fans are often seen to be more loyal than people used to be for kingdoms.
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