Learning to Love Football’s International Break

It’s international break time in world football right now. Dates that FIFA has blocked out on the calendar for international play. Which means no club football (or at least no high level club football). Which means someone somewhere is complaining about the international break. And I say to them: Please stop.

I don’t exclude myself or The Offside from this, because I know we’ve done it too. I also agree that the absence of club football can be frustrating, for fans who want football news and for bloggers looking for things to write about.

But there’s plenty to love about the international break. Read on to be convinced.

International football is the pinnacle. The best of the best. Without the international break, there’s no international football. Simple as that.

More importantly, there’s the World Cup to consider. The World Cup doesn’t just magically appear fully formed. Thirty-two teams (minus the hosts) have to qualify, and qualifying is a long process. Without the international break, there’s no World Cup. Simple as that.

Almost as importantly, I’ve come to love the international break precisely because it’s a break from club football. You ever spent too long in the same place and just needed a change of scenery? The international break is that change of scenery for me. Much of the shouty madness that is modern football temporarily goes quiet. Or at least quieter. For a week or so there are no referees for Alex Ferguson to complain about, no one asking about Rafa Benitez’ or Leonardo’s job security, no one panicking about Bayern Munich’s league position.

Of course international football brings its own set of silliness. The question of what Raymond Domenech said about the Irish team, if anything, the question of Marcello Lippi vs Antonio Cassano. But these are different problems than the usual day to day stuff. And – as the saying goies – a change is as good as a rest.

So rather than being depressed by the international break, think of it as a chance to step away from club football for a short while and recharge your batteries. Because it all gets going again this weekend, and doesn’t break for internationals again until March 2010.

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Category: World Football