5 World Football Instagram Photos of the Week
It's been quite the week in the world of football.
With lots of Instagram highlights to choose from, the upcoming selection is a mixture of the inspiring, shocking, comical and informative.
There has been news from right across the football sphere that has reverberated in all parts of the globe..
As ever, the camera never lies, and coming up in this slideshow are some images that encapsulate the game we love.
Arjen Robben Lets It All out
1 of 5No football player has suffered so much in finals as one Arjen Robben.
Since leaving Chelsea, the Dutchman has had to endure being on a losing side in two Champions League Finals as well as the 2010 World Cup Final.
Lady Luck had certainly not shined a light his way—until last Saturday.
Not only did he get the monkey off of his back with a match-winning performance in the Champions League Final in London at the weekend, but his last-minute winner against rivals Borrusia Dortmund well and truly buried the ghosts of finals past.
The emotion contorting his facial expression at the end of the match is all too evident. A wonderful reminder of the joy that winning a game of football can bring!
Borussia Dortmund Having a Laugh
2 of 5Who says the German's don't have a sense of humour?!
In the lead-up to the Champions League Final, Borussia Dortmund took it upon themselves to have a little fun at their own expense.
On the eve of possibly one of the most important games in their history, the club still found time to not take itself too seriously.
Brilliant.
Robbie Rogers' Simple but Effective Message
3 of 5Robbie Rogers—what an inspirational young man.
Recently retired, Rogers decided that—in fact—he had much to offer the MLS, and so he signed on with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The first openly gay football player deserves props for his "bravery" yet the very fact we are even talking about his sexuality in this day and age is pretty ludicrous.
As he notes on his Instagram photo: "An exciting future lies ahead, not only for me but for our society."
A simple but very effective message and one that forces us to confront our own prejudices.
Neymar Signs for Barcelona
4 of 5The biggest football story of the weekend was undoubtedly Neymar's transfer to Barcelona.
The football world breathed a sigh of relief that the saga was finally over, and the player himself couldn't contain his excitement.
Over the weekend and ahead of an official announcement on Monday, Neymar released an official statement via his Instagram account (h/t Daily Mail), which read:
"I'm here reunited with friends and family and they have helped me to write a few things here ... It's not going to hold out until Monday ... My family and friends already know my decision."
On Monday I sign a contract with Barcelona. I want to thank the fans of Santos for these incredible nine years. My feeling for the club and the fans will never change. It is eternal!
Only a club like Santos FC could give me everything I have lived on and off the field. I thank the wonderful fans who supported me even in the most difficult moments. Titles, goals, dribbling, celebrations and songs that fans created for me will be forever in my heart.
I made sure to play the match tomorrow in Brasilia. I want to have the opportunity to once again take the field with the "mantle" and hear the crowd scream my name ... as the hymn says, "it is an honor that not everyone can have ..." It is a different time for me, sad (farewell) and cheerful (new challenge). May God bless me in my choices ... And I'm always in Santos!
"
The Unsavoury Side of Football
5 of 5A look at the picture here is truly chilling and it reminds us of a part of the game we would rather forget.
Yet it is all too real.
The weapons in the picture were confiscated by Italian Police before the Coppa Italia Final last weekend.
In 2013, "supporters" of rival clubs were going to take such items to a game of football. Just let that sink in for a moment or two.
It is impossible to ignore the ramifications of a photo such as this one.
