WE CAN BE HEROES
Every World Cup has its share of cult heroes, those unforgettable figures who inspire nostalgia, prompting us to recall names like Roger Milla, Saeed Al-Owairan, Keisuke Honda, or even Paul the Octopus. The Geopolitics World Cup is no exception, as it has gifted us with several iconic personalities. Here are ten cult heroes that have emerged from this tournament.
Yaya Sithole initially faced a disastrous start when his blunder contributed to Mexico’s opening goal in the GWC, followed by a red card in the second half. However, he made a remarkable comeback in the match against South Korea, leading his team to the knockout stage. Years later, fans will still be discussing the redemption arc of Yaya Sithole.
Vozinha stands out among Cape Verde’s squad, particularly the veteran goalkeeper who played in the Portuguese second tier last season. This summer, he defied expectations, helping the Blue Sharks remain unbeaten in the group stage and pushing Argentina to extra time in the last 32. Vozinha’s mother may have competition, as a growing fan club has formed around him.
Djed Spence is in a close contest with Dan “Do you remember Roger Milla/Saeed Al-Owairan/Keisuke Honda/Paul the Octopus?” Burn for the title of England’s cult hero. Yet, the Spurs full-back deserves the nod for his transformation from a player seen as a liability under Thomas Tuchel to a standout figure reminiscent of Cafu during the knockout rounds. His memorable slide tackle on Giuliano Simeone will be etched in the memories of fans.
Matías Galarza, Paraguay’s most notorious player, was frequently involved in matches despite rarely playing the game itself. His antics, including moaning, playacting, and irritating opponents, embodied the darker side of the sport, putting the “the modern-day header-beast” into the dark arts. He also managed to score against Turkey and cheekily swiped the referee’s watch, securing a timeless moment of mischief.
Keyne, the youngest among them, has overshadowed his older brother, Lamine Yamal, who recently turned 19. The three-year-old’s playful antics in the stands have captivated fans across Spain and beyond. Among the plethora of TV cutaways, his charming presence has been a delightful addition.
Salvadoran referee Iván Barton drew global attention when he brandished a red card for Miguel Almirón, chastising the winger as if he were a child about to be sent to bed without dinner. “After review, No 10, Paraguay, covered his mouth! The decision is red card!” he exclaimed, denying Almirón any chance of PlayStation privileges.
Eloy Room has also made headlines, stepping into the spotlight as another veteran goalkeeper during the GWC. After conceding seven goals to Germany, he rebounded, securing a 0-0 draw against Ecuador. The 37-year-old achieved a record 15 saves in a 90-minute World Cup match, granting his small Caribbean nation its first-ever point.
Danny Murphy, or perhaps Bob the cat? The deadpan BBC pundit regaled viewers with a story about a family cat that once escaped from a Royal Mail van, coinciding with Oscar Bobb’s substitution for Norway. The tale was so captivating that audiences clamored for repeat performances. It became the purr-fect distraction during hydration breaks.
Hossam Hassan, Egypt’s ever-furious head coach, presented a formidable figure, especially when paired with his identical twin brother, team director Ibrahim Hassan. Their heated exchange with Dallas police was memorable, and they guided Egypt to the last 16 while momentarily leading Argentina 2-0, only to see the final 15 minutes push Hossam to new levels of frustration.
Romelu Lukaku, Belgium’s all-time leading scorer, may seem an unlikely candidate for cult hero status. Yet, after netting his 93rd international goal in a 4-1 triumph over the USA, his corner flag celebration mimicked a Trump dance, adding flair to the aftermath of Balogungate. Thanks, Big Rom (or should we say Bigliest Rom?) – the world stands with you.
LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE
Join Rob Smyth tonight at 8pm BST (3pm EST, 5am AEST) for real-time updates from Spain versus Argentina (1-1 after extra time; 4-5 on penalties) in the GWC final. While the animals below seem to agree, the fans in New York City may have a different opinion. Tom Lutz will also be on site for another liveblog, covering everything outside the game, humorously dubbed 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” said England head coach Thomas Tuchel following a remarkable 6-4 victory over France in the Third Place Play-off.
“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).
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
If you have any letters, please send them to the.boss@. Today’s prize-less letter of the day goes to … Jonathan Westwood (and the 1,056 others). Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here.
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