June 26, 1986. On that day, the world saw the “Hand of God” for the first time. Every football fan in the world today knows that it happened in a magical moment when eyes and ears were glued to the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Diego Maradona’s goal leaves goalkeeper Peter Shelton and England behind. Maradona’s second goal, known as the goal of the century, saw Argentina win the game 2-1 and then lift the cup by defeating Germany in the final. Maradona’s reaction to the controversial goal was, “He scored a little with his head and a little with the hand of God.” After 32 years in June 2018, the same Argentina fans were under intense pressure when the team’s decisive win against Nigeria in the pre-quarters. Fans’ messiah, Lionel Messi, said after victory in St Petersburg: God was with…
Eight years after Maradona’s controversial goal, it was during another World Cup that the world came to know that an own goal also means death. June 22, 1994. Colombia’s match against the weak hosts at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, USA. Colombia needed a win to advance in the tournament. In the 34th minute of the game, the ball hit the foot of Colombian deep defender Andre Escobar and was cut into the Colombian goal net in an attempt to beat the cross from the left by America’s John Harks. There was nothing Colombian goalkeeper Oscar Cordozay could do. A low cross from the right was unsuccessfully cleared by the left-footed Escobar with his right foot. A 2-1 victory for the USA shattered Colombian dreams. Escobar, who walked out of the field with a heavy burden of grief, said, “Life does not end here.” But some were not able to embrace Esco’s optimism to the same extent. Esko was surrounded by a 12-member gang of drunkards when he was leaving after eating at the night club restaurant in the morning of July 2. They sent Esko off for an own goal. He accused him of bringing shame to the country. After the altercation, one of the assailants took out a gun and fired. 12 bullets penetrated Esko’s body. They were shouting goal while shooting…
Thus, the World Cup continues to celebrate football as a place where history blossoms into God and Devil. Now it’s Qatar’s turn. 32 teams, 64 matches, 29 days… the world is chasing a ball…
Football means many things to the world. It’s not just fun and games. It cannot be confined to the heroism of legendary players like Pele, Maradona and Johan Cruyff. Politics, racism, poverty, wariness and other serious places in front of the world, why is it possible to go through with tears and tears, joy and raising questions, except for football?
How many people have heard of Ruben Arruda, a street in the village of Baru in the small town of Trascoracos? Who wouldn’t be thrilled to hear that Brazilian legend Pele grew up playing with balls stuffed into old socks and rolled up here. Pele’s father Doninho was a failed footballer. The game he played to forget his hunger made Pele another nickname for football. Football has become a philosophy for so many people and nations seeking survival. In the universe of football, Senegal, England, Cameroon and America are all equals.
Have a look at the 90’s heroes of the Dutch army that fill your mind with orange color and sweetness. How to forget the trinity that was their strength. Between Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard, a white-clad Marco VanBasten stands smiling. The intense light of the black and white world of equality spread through them.
Even on the big stage of football, the rays of the sun have been dimmed. There was such a scene in the 2006 World Cup finals in Paris. French superstar Zinedine Zidane hits Italian player Materazzi with his head. When Zidane walked out with a red card, the football world was stunned. What angered Zidane, who was generally only seen as decent on the field? Later Materazzi himself revealed the matter. It turned out to be another shock. Materazzi was tasked with marking Zidane. “Fearing the coach’s fight, I grabbed Zidane’s shirt. Zidane said he will take off his shirt after a while. I replied that I want your sister. With Zidane out of control, France’s game lost its rhythm. The world title won by Asuripada back then certainly has a lack of luster today.
Why should we remember Nathuram Godse who shot Mahatma Gandhi at the World Cup venue? Germany’s Mario Gotze fired at Lionel Messi’s fans in the 2014 World Cup final. Gotze’s goal was Argentina’s defeat and Germany’s crown. Lionel Messi looks like a king who has lost his kingdom while Gotze stands triumphant in his world-conquering performance. Seeing Messi standing, Argentina and Messi fans all over the world silently asked Gotze, “Why did you destroy our happiness?” The emptiness in Messi’s eyes filled the fans’ eyes. A similar question arose from the fans during the 1994 World Cup final. With the strength of superstar Roberto Baggio, Italy responded to the progress of Brazil’s Romario and Bebeto in the final. However, Baggio missed the crucial penalty in the shootout. Baggio’s ball flew over the crossbar and the Italian fans were in mourning. Baggio never got a chance to answer their desperate question, “Why did you do that?”, through the crown. The fans are hoping and praying that Messi will recover the crown and scepter that Gotze stole this time. But things will not be easy for Argentina and Messi this time either. Neymar’s trump card Brazil, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Kevin De Bruyne’s Belgium, Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema’s France aiming for a second consecutive title. Also, Spain, England, Germany and Denmark are not bad teams. Beyond the fact that no one will win, the excitement is the hope that the great celebration of football will spring up on Arab soil.
There is nothing in the world that brings people together like football. Simple rules of the game make any common man a fan of football. The timeless beauty of Latin American football and the strength of European football are for everyone in the world to enjoy. Figuratively speaking, every World Cup is a sea of excitement from the Maracana Stadium in Brazil, synonymous with football, to Malappuram in Kerala. Every time the ball rolls on the field, not only the players but also the minds of the spectators go up and down with it. A magician who can fill the audience with the intense stress, sadness, joy and pain felt by the players, football is a sensual artist. May the pulse of life within him never cease…
Rajesh Mulakulam