DELUSIONAL SPORTS FANS

Whether you're starting at a new school, coaching, university or job, there's a few quick ways to get acquainted with all the new people around you. One, which forms a stronger bond than any other, is a mutual love for a sport. Being a fan or an active participant in a sport that your classmates or co-workers enjoy is an easy way to break the ice and initiate what ends up being hours of interesting conversation. 

However, as great as sports can be, there usually tends to be a few fans who you just cannot agree with. Whether it's a disagreement about your ideologies on the sport, or just inflated opinions that are so far from the reality that you just want to smash everything in sight; there's a little bit of a delusional sports fan in all of us.

Irrespective of whether you're a fan of cricket, football, basketball or even hadudu, you're likely to meet multiple fans who live in their own, distorted, imaginary bubble of a world, and have no semblance of understanding about reality. Here are a few of the ways to spot them:

THE OPINIONATED ONES

Everyone has an opinion about the team or sport they love, and no matter which fan base you're a part of, you have a right to your opinions. However, there's a group of fans whose opinions have evolved into something much more dangerous. A common example is when someone tries to force you into believing that Pele/Maradona is the best player of all time, with no close contenders. They have their own world view, and wish to impose it on everyone else.

THE SUPERSTITIOUS FANS

This group is a weird bunch, and can be almost likened to a cult. They worship their teams and are often seeing praying for their players, managers, etc. before every match; due to their belief that, these rituals will ensure victory. These fans also tend to believe in the most unlikely of miracles, and remain optimistic even in the face of guaranteed defeat. They refuse to get out of their seats or even alter their posture when the team is doing well. Whether their team is trailing by five goals at half time, or at a 100 run deficit with 30 balls left; these fans never lose hope, and their confidence in their team will get your blood boiling for sure.

THE ELITISTS

These fans live on a whole other plane of reality. If the previous two categories of delusional fans had you worried, this one will have you running. Usually, these fans hold their team in such high regard that they forget other teams even exist in the same sport. And while, supporting a team during their era of dominance can somewhat legitimise the beliefs of this particular group; results actually do not matter to them. Even if their team is 7th in the league, on a losing streak and failing to meet average standards, these fans continue to believe they are still the best team ever. In their opinion, the sport is at fault for their teams failures; not the teams own inability to succeed.

While being a delusional fan isn't the worst thing in the world, it would be a good idea to actively avoid the ones who are. And if you're one of the aforementioned delusional fans, maybe it wouldn't be the worst idea to become a little more self-aware.

Aaqib loves petting doggos. Send him pictures of your ''good boys'' at [email protected]