Au Revoir ZiZou
The World Cup is once again upon us and the people of the world await with excruciating excitement for the first ball to be kicked. Memories of the World Cup often revolve around those iconic images of the greatest players in the world, Moore and Pele in a shirtless embrace in '70, Maradona and his fist in '86, Baggio with hands on hips and head bowed in '94, Zidane sinking down the steps in '06. Just a couple of the many iconic moments from the iconic players in the greatest show in the world.
On a personal note my memories of the World Cup stretch back just about as far as 1994, although as a 6 year old my memories of the matches, the goals and the headlines are all a blurry haze that become focused by the glut of youtube montages sparking vague recollections of watching the yellow of Romania or green of Ireland. But the one thing that sparks the light bulb in my head are the names of the great players. Hagi, Baggio, Stoichkov, Romario, Maradona, Valderamma all spring to mind as icons of that hot American summer to name but a few.
The best players in the world not only offer the most exciting and impressive footballing talent, but they offer a story to go with it. A legendary status that can only be achieved in hindsight perhaps. I look back with a nostalgic fondness at the names i grew up with and a regret and sadness that, now the squads have been announced, their names are missing from the guest lists invited to the party.
This World Cup has almost come in at a transitional period in World Football. No Longer are the legendary names of Zidane, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Cannavaro, Beckham, Crespo, Ballack et al invovled yet the brilliance of Kaka, Messi, C Ronaldo, Rooney, Torres have yet to rise to the level of their predecessors.
Who will step up and become a legend? Who will write the future as the Nike commercial asks?
In ten years time we will look back on the next month and reminisce about how they don't make 'em like they used to. The way we now look at names like the Baggio's or the Ronaldo's or Zidane's or Beckham's of the past we will do so of some of the names announced this week in the squads going to South Africa. Iconic images will be made and I for one can not wait to witness future being written.
Hoddle's rejection hit 'Gazza' hard
Photo: (1) Perenyi/Augenklick
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