On March 8, let's say 2024, the presidents of Real Madrid and Barça appear together for the first time at a press conference. They announce, on the occasion of International Women's Day, the next celebration of the first Equality Classic. It will be a match in which at least five players from each team will have to be men and at least five will have to be women.
With Barça and Madrid still in contention in the Champions League, and with the upcoming Euro Cup in the summer of 2024, it is difficult to find a date for the game and it is decided to play it in August, during the next preseason. For the headquarters, cities and clubs that want to host it are invited to present their candidacy. The field will be decided in a draw that will be broadcast live.
The idea is met with skepticism, and even hostility. The expected criticism arrives from those who say that men and women are not the same and that it will be seen in the field. Those of hypocritical machismo, which seems to defend equality with its words while undermining it with its actions. The Federation, while not enthusiastic about the idea, does not oppose it to protect its reputation. Criticism arrives from feminism itself, which does not miss the opportunity to show itself divided once again. And obviously those of those who defend segregation in sports in the name of entertainment and business.
But it is precisely that it is a show and a business, as well as a good cause. Media from other countries report on the Equality Classic, not without admiration. Sports multinationals strive to unite their image with that of the party, aware of the expansion of the female market for their products. The sale of television rights gives a measure of the expectation generated by the match from Japan to Patagonia.
And a rich football debate is generated, which is one of the most global forms of entertainment. What is the best way for Pedri and Alexia to associate? Also having Aitana and Frenkie and Gavi, should Barça overpopulate the field of midfielders as Guardiola once said? Are there positions that are more suitable for a soccer player than for a female soccer player, or vice versa? If there are fouls or penalties, who should shoot them?
Of course, if the game is decided by penalties, at least two must be shot by men and at least two by women. And if there is any expulsion, it will be necessary to have decided beforehand if it is mandatory to maintain parity on the field.
When the Clásico is finally played, it has enough repercussion for him to propose to continue it. Other clubs join the idea and begin to organize matches with parity between men and women. Over time, parity spreads from career fields to schoolyards.
It may seem impossible. It also seemed impossible when man landed on the moon (that was the expression: man on the moon) that women could be astronauts. It was prejudged that they did not have the necessary strength. But since NASA decided to admit women astronauts, it has been shown that they can and that they do it just as well as men.
What NASA astronauts have taught the world is that there is no teamwork that cannot be shared by men and women. Neither be an astronaut, nor a firefighter, nor run a country or a company, nor take care of parents or children, nor mop. Nor of course play football. The impossible is what you don't want to do.
