FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
WILFRED PEREIRA
PANJIM: Agnelo Valladares, a Portugal fan began looking for a ticket to make it to Qatar, but after spending hours and hours in front of the computer to purchase a ticket to watch Ronaldo play in the desert, he did not succeed.
Then he turned his attention to his second favourite, the five-time winner, Brazil. A friend of his informed him that an agency was selling tickets to watch matches in Qatar. Without wasting time he rushed to Viagogo and bought a ticket to watch the Brazil-Serbia match on November 25. Valladares and his uncle flew to Doha on November 22 well in time to watch Selecao take on Senegal. After resting to get rid of their jetlag, they decided to head to Lusail Stadium early to get a feel of the air-conditioned ground. After waiting in queue for over two hours they finally reached the FIFA ticket checking point. They presented their ticket only to be told the ticket they purchased from Viagogo is not valid and was a fake. With tears in his eyes, Valladares had no option but to watch the game on the big screen outside the stadium. Brazil beat Serbia 2-0 with Richarlison netting both, including a stunning overhead scissor kick.
Valladares called his wife back in Goa to inform her of his disappointment. He returned to Goa dejected, and called up the agency only to be told that they would only refund the ticket money.
What about his air ticket? They refused. Valladares said that had he not obtained the ‘fake’ ticket he would have not made the Qatar trip. How can a responsible agency ditch people by issuing fake tickets?
Agnelo Valladares is otherwise a diehard Portugal fan. From Eusebio to Luis Figo, Rui Costa to Cristiano Ronaldo, the Seleção das Quinas has been his favourite. His dream was to see them in action, watching from the stands with the Bandeira de Portugal wrapped around him in Portugal jersey. Not that he had not worn the Portugal jersey. He wore it as a teenager when the Ballor d’or winner Eusebio led Portugal to the third place in the 1966 World Cup. Then again during the different U-20 titles the Portuguese won down the years. His joy knew no bounds when Portugal finally won the European Cup after a heartbreaking loss to Greece when they hosted the event in 2004.
The teenager in 1966 became an adult in 2004 and raised his fist when Portugal triumphed at the 2014 European Cup beating hosts France with a gem of a goal from Macedo Lopes in extra time.
Fast forward to 2018. He thought of watching Portugal in Russia, but couldn’t make the trip because of financial difficulties. Valladares was determined to make it to Qatar 2022. He began putting aside whenever he had rupees to spare so that he could slowly fill his Piggy Bank. But the agency destroyed his dream. His consolation. He managed to experience the mood of the worldwide football fans in Qatar.
