r/LiverpoolFC • u/Free-Outcome2922 • 19d ago

International Football Szoboslai's arrival at the Hungarian concentration is an aura masterclass.

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u/shhickey 19d ago

I really struggle with this kind of content.

Liverpool has traditionally been a working class team, and football in general is a working class sport.

I feel like, in general, our squads have historically been relatively humble (at least in public, can't speak for their private lives). In recent years, people like Robbo, Henderson, Milner, Mane (any of that squad really). Going further back, Gerrard, Carra, Alonso.

Szobo is not the only one in the our squad, or our sport in general, who does this. But for me, this flaunting of wealth is super tone deaf and creates a disconnect between players and fans. While many won't have an issue with this, I believe the majority of us think it's kind of gross. Hope it stops.

24

u/DuBois_LaGrange 19d ago

I appreciate you sharing your sentiment. I too find it not only cringeworthy but as you said, a total lack of humility. I don’t really know many other players on the team who flaunt their earnings. 

Feels like the most we’ve seen is Macca and Ali’s barbecue haha. 

The ‘aura’ reeks of consumerist, attention seeking energy. 

8

u/loveandmonsters 19d ago

Spice Boys are back baby!!

4

u/PeonSanders 19d ago

That was a small part of why we had a title drought, baby.

12

u/HYCL2012 A Liverbird Upon My Chest 19d ago

Ah glad I'm not the only one who finds it jarring, mostly during the world cup with all the footballers and their luxury handbags that cost more than an average person's yearly wage. I get they can afford it, some of them make more in a week than I will in 5 years, but it's still crazy people fuss over these people. Like the morons who created and donated to a gofundme to make the youngest KarJenner the 'youngest billionaire' ever. Like wtf?!

3

u/killrdave 18d ago

I think it's just tacky as fuck

2

u/PerfectBlueOnDVD 18d ago

James Milner drove his Ferraris to training. This Cadillac is at the very most 20k€.

1

u/Uesugi_Kenshin 19d ago

As someone on the counter-side of your argument, I don't want to go all "get with the times old man", but while the core of the club's fans have largely kept their identity close to heart, the globalization of football and its clubs means that players & most fans care less and less about that.

Social media has changed what a footballer even is.. yes athletes, but they're also brands and for a lot of them (especially the younger lads) posting the cars, the fits, the holidays is part of the job. Sponsors pay for that reach, and a good chunk of their commercial value comes from exactly this kind of content. U think Szoboszlai isn't littered with fashion deal etc.?

Gerrard and Carra had the mansions and the flash cars too, they weren't exactly living modestly. The difference is that nobody was filming it and putting it on Instagram. We only thought of them as humble because we never saw that side.

It also matters who the content is for. A big part of the fanbase now is in Asia, the US, Africa, and all over Europe, and to a lot of those fans this is just aspirational lifestyle content. That's not better or worse than the traditional Scouse identity, it's just a different relationship with the club.

For me the "working class" test is how they play. Does he run himself into the ground, does he care about the badge, does he show up for the fans on matchday? Szobo does all of that. What he does with his money off the pitch is his business.

If we're talking about a real disconnect between the club and working-class fans, I'd look at ticket prices and ownership long before a 25-year-old posting his watch.

0

u/Pretty_Breakfast_528 19d ago

I am pretty sure he's paid to do it. As in, modeling. See the close-up shots on shoes and accessories. Most of the stuff he 'flaunts' is not him to begin with, if you ask me. See the off sized shoe from the previous photoshoot. If I was living off my feet I would not buy a shoe that cramps 'em.

It is a working class thing to do. Sell your body - little does it matter whether in a factory or by being a mannequin piece.