I’m in Brazil this week with work, presenting the start of the 2025 Mountain Bike World Series for TNT Sports, and the passion that every person I meet has for mountain bikes, football and any sport at all taking place in Brazil charms me outrageously.
They welcome you, they praise you, they tell you how happy they are that you’re here. If you happen to be a former champion of the sport and Brazilian too, like my colleague Henri Avancini, you can give up on the idea of ever advancing more than a few centimetres across the paddock without being embraced like family.
By contrast six neighbourhood associations of San Sebastian in Spain have written to Fifa to say they don’t want to provide one of the venues for the 2030 World Cup.
The ‘touristification’ of the local area has affected the place beyond recognition, they say, harming its local culture, and they think the World Cup will only intensify the issue.
The response of the city’s mayor – ‘If it was up to them, the city would have zero international profile’ – cracked me up. Yes, good insight Mr Mayor, not everybody wants to be a star.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
Residents of another magical city, Barcelona, have taken a more militant approach to the same issue – tourists have been sprayed with water pistols, to make locals’ lack of enthusiasm for their presence known.
You can hammer such places for being unreasonable and unfriendly but is holidaying somewhere that has made it known they are overwhelmed not itself an unfriendly call?
One counter-argument might be how much Parisians voiced their dislike of the Olympics before the fact – as many of us Londoners did in 2012 – before going feral for Phryges and mad for Marchand.
But capital cities are better able to absorb an influx of fans, and is it not patronising to assume the people most affected will just fall into line, because fundamentally you know what they need?
That said, bringing people great sport they don’t yet know they want is pretty much my raison d’etre. But there is something different about the big beast of men’s elite football arriving on your pretty little doorstep.
You probably won’t get to see Declan Rice bang in two free-kicks in one of the all time-great World Cup knockout games even if it happens next door. But your quiet daily routine will almost certainly be smashed out of shape and no fan will know they are in your seat at your local pintxos bar.
The idea of going where you are wanted has become more mainstream in the travel industry over the last few years, with the concept of ‘ethical travel’ including checking whether the people whose home you are planning to gatecrash have a metaphorical free spare room.
As season-ticket increases were announced at Manchester United, among other clubs last month, the same idea occurred to me.
People being driven out of their clubs for greed is clearly wrong, and devastating. But there is also merit in going where you’re wanted.
I have written before about finding community in local non-league clubs, or attending your team’s women’s matches.
This may be particularly relevant for disgruntled United fans, given the comparative levels of disdain in which supporters and the women’s team often appear to be equally held. Common ground is clear.
The launch of the 2025 Women’s Football Awards took place this week at the Houses of Parliament, with Metro a key partner for the third year running.
In her launch speech editor-in-chief Deborah Arthurs referenced the long commitment Metro has shown to women’s football, and it’s that supportive atmosphere that makes me so proud to be a part of our team. Gathering up those with genuine enthusiasm pays off ultimately, even if it takes a little while.
Women’s football is open and will welcome you, whoever you are, whatever your level of knowledge, or proven commitment. Time to go where we’re all wanted.
MORE: This isn’t the England side that won Euro 2022 but these new Lionesses are ready for more glory
MORE: Gabby Logan joins star-studded hosting line-up for 2025 Women’s Football Awards
MORE: Pub opening hours could be extended if British teams reach Women’s Euro semis