Video of young Portuguese football fan consoling French man has left world in tears

They say you are not mature till you reach a certain age. But is it always true?

A young Portuguese fan - boy who would not be more than ten-years-old - consoling a French supporter overcome with emotions after France lost to Portugal was one of the most enduring images from the Euro 2016 final.

Not only did it show the camaraderie between the rival fans, it showed the maturity of the young supporter, who realised that there would be a winner and a loser in a contest, but in no way was the vanquished less valiant than the victorious. And the French supporter hugged the child back, blessing him for his kindness.

This camaraderie was far removed from the clashes at the start of the tournament, or the rioting in Paris during the final. It is a welcome change from incidents of racism from time to time that did not even spare frontline players like Mario Balotelli and Thierry Henry.

Sports is scarcely about a simple calculation of who won and who lost. Nor is it about athletic brilliance alone. Sports is about passion. It is about tears, about unbridled joy. It brings cultures together, soothes frayed relations. It is the celebration of life.

It is that passion which makes a Diego Maradona cry inconsolably at having lost the World Cup final.

It is what made Vinod Kambli running to the dressing room in tears amidst scenes of total pandemonium at the Eden Gardens with Sri Lanka having awarded the cricket World Cup semi-final against a bruised and battered India.

It is the same passion that made Lionel Messi cry copiously as he saw his international career withering away following a disastrous Copa America final against Chile only a few days before.

It was a haze of emotions at the Stade de France on the night of July 10. Portugal lost their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo to injury barely 20 minutes into the match, steeled themselves and to win the European championships in extra time.

A tearful Ronaldo was stretchered off, but came back to animatedly cheer his mates on the pitch, and there were more tears for him as Portugal did what nobody expected it to do, winning a major title for the first time in its history. But those were the tears of joy as he limped around the pitch, the Henri Delaunay trophy held proudly aloft. It was heartbreak, howwever, for France.

There had to be tears in the stands too. Tears of joy and those of despair. Indeed it is not only the players who invest their emotions in a contest, the fans can't stay unaffected.

But there is nothing better when fans of rival teams bond after the contest is over, for when both sides had given their very best, there is no shame in coming together in an embrace. Sports is also about respect, which makes the Portuguese child's gesture so special.

And that respect will remain as long as fans show the maturity that the Portuguese child has shown. It is something which no hooligan must be allowed to endanger.