WE CAN BE HEROES
Every World Cup gives rise to cult figures, those iconic personalities that allow us to reminisce fondly by asking, “Do you remember Roger Milla/Saeed Al-Owairan/Keisuke Honda/Paul the Octopus?” The Geopolitics World Cup is no exception, presenting us with ten cult heroes who have made their mark during this tournament.
Yaya Sithole had a rocky beginning, with a disastrous error leading to the first goal of the GWC against Mexico, followed by a second-half red card. However, he made a remarkable comeback, showcasing his skills in the win over South Korea and propelling his team into the knockout stages. Years later, fans may still be discussing the Yaya Sithole redemption narrative.
Vozinha stands out among the Cape Verde players who became cult legends, especially the 40-year-old goalkeeper. After spending last season in Portugal’s second division, he showcased his talent by keeping Spain at bay during the group stage and pushing Argentina to extra time in the round of 32. Vozinha’s mother has plenty of company in the fan club cheering for him.
Djed Spence is in contention with Dan “the modern-day header-beast” Burn for England’s cult hero title, but the Spurs full-back earns the nod for his transformation. Once seen as a liability for Thomas Tuchel in the group stage, he became a standout player in the knockout rounds. His slide tackle on Giuliano Simeone (chin strap or not) will be remembered for years.
Matías Galarza, Paraguay’s most notorious player, consistently made his presence known, even when he wasn’t focused on the game. His antics—complaining, theatrics, and instigating opponents—truly embodied the essence of the dark arts. He also managed to score against Turkey and humorously stole the referee’s watch, securing his legacy in timeless mischief.
Keyne, the three-year-old brother of Lamine Yamal, has captured the hearts of fans with his cheerful antics in the stands. While Lamine turned 19 during the GWC, Keyne’s playful expressions brought joy to viewers in Spain and beyond. Amidst the chaos of the tournament, the toddler has been a refreshing sight.
Iván Barton, the Salvadoran referee, gained global attention when he issued a red card to Miguel Almirón, berating the winger as if he were a child being sent to bed without dinner. “After review, No 10, Paraguay, covered his mouth! The decision is red card!” No gaming privileges for you, Miguel!
Eloy Room deserves recognition as well; another veteran goalkeeper who shone at the GWC. After conceding seven goals against Germany, he rebounded to secure a 0-0 draw against Ecuador, making a record 15 saves in a 90-minute World Cup match. His efforts earned the tiny Caribbean island its first-ever point.
Danny Murphy, or perhaps Bob the cat? The deadpan BBC pundit shared an amusing tale about how a family cat once escaped inside a Royal Mail van, ignited by Oscar Bobb’s entrance for Norway. The story captivated viewers, leading to multiple follow-ups and becoming a delightful distraction during hydration breaks.
Hossam Hassan, Egypt’s perpetually irate head coach dressed in black, was an intimidating figure, especially alongside his identical twin brother, team director Ibrahim Hassan. They found themselves in a heated altercation with Dallas police, led Egypt to the last 16, and even had a 2-0 lead against Argentina, before the final moments pushed Hossam to new heights of frustration.
Romelu Lukaku, Belgium’s record goal-scorer, might not seem an obvious choice for cult-hero status. However, after dominating the USA with a 4-1 victory and celebrating his 93rd international goal with a Trump-inspired dance near the corner flag, he solidified his place in fans’ hearts. Thank you, Big Rom (or should we say Bigliest Rom?)—the world is behind you.
LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE
Join Rob Smyth at 8pm BST (3pm EST, 5am AEST) for live updates on the Spain vs. Argentina match, which ended in a 1-1 draw (4-5 on penalties) during the GWC final. While animals below may have opinions, fans in New York City seem to disagree. Tom Lutz will also be live blogging and covering all other topics outside of the game, aptly titled Everything But The Goal.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“This game will help us for sure – even if you can never fully celebrate a bronze medal. It’s the first [men’s World Cup] medal for 60 years, first [at a men’s] World Cup on foreign soil, and I hope the players can be proud of that at some point. We set ourselves the highest dream to chase, and we were very, very ambitious with our dream to make the final in the World Cup. So it’s very, very painful if you miss out, the pain will stay for a while”
stated England head coach Thomas Tuchel after presiding over a remarkable 6-4 win against France in the Third Place Play-off.
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
“May I be one of the 1,057 pedants to point out that it’s little wonder Brazil lost to Poland in the 1970 TPPO (yesterday’s Football Daily) as they would have been resting players for the next day’s final against Italy (which they won 4-1 to claim their third world crown – Pelé, Carlos Alberto and all that). You must have meant the 1974 TPPO. Easy to be fatigued at this stage of the tournament; just ask Harry Kane,” wrote Jonathan Westwood (and 1,056 others).
If you have any letters, please send them to the.boss@. Today’s honorable mention goes to Jonathan Westwood (and the 1,056 others). Check here for terms and conditions related to our competitions.
- This is an extract from our daily football email, Football Daily. To access the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.
