Television images captured on Saturday in the Athletic locker room in San Mamés at the start of the match against Real Madrid with lions praying the Our Father caused some controversy both inside and outside the Bilbao environment. Apparently, in the commented sequences, many football fans and non-fans have discovered a custom that has remained intact in the booth of the Bilbao team since the beginning.
In the documentary directed in 2013 by Unai Larrea under the title ‘A century and 90 minutes. The legend of San Mamés has already seen Bielsa’s former students perform this ritual which, on the other hand, is not alien to other clubs.
Commented television pictures show the Athletic professionals locked in their locker room making a huddle while Muniain, team captain, prays the Our Father. At the end of this, the whole group gathers in a circle to put their fists together and sing the ‘war cry’. Then, at the grass level, it is the eleven lions that make up the starting team that will return to cheer each other on in a new huddle.
Not everyone, according to the reactions that have appeared, understands this typical ritual in many soccer teams in the same way, at least for some time now.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
