Princess Diaries
Spanish footballer Gavi has had quite a memorable time at the 2022 World Cup. Not only did he become the youngest player at the tournament but also managed to score in Spain’s opening game against Costa Rica.
However, the moment that has intrigued fans globally was when King Felipe VI of Spain during his meeting with the Spanish national team asked Gavi to sign a shirt for his daughter Princess Leonor. As per media reports, the princess admires Gavi immensely and even has a scrapbook full of his pictures.
Father-son moment
It is a special moment for a footballer to celebrate a great moment with your parents in the stands but it is totally another feeling when your father is in the same team.
Netherlands player Daley Blind ran towards his father Danny Blind after scoring against the USA. His father Danny Blind is the assistant coach of the Netherlands team and is a former player as well. The father-son embrace warmed a million hearts worldwide.
Cleanliness next to Godliness
The Japanese football team had a great run this tournament, defeating the likes of Germany and Spain. However, more than their stupendous online field performance, it is the off-field tradition of fans that has won respect worldwide. Japanese fans stay back after the game to clean the stadium even if it is not a game of their national team.
Cross-culture beauty
Football acts as a great unifier as people from different corners of the world come together and celebrate one another. International fans from different countries are wearing the traditional Arab headdresses — the ghutra (the traditional headscarf worn by men). Fans from Europe, South America have been wearing the headdress by customising it using their country’s flag.
The case of the gold necklace
France defender Jules Kounde was wearing a gold necklace during the game against Poland. According to the rules on safety, all items of jewellery (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather bands, rubber bands) are forbidden and must be removed by a player before the game. The referee spotted Kounde wearing the gold chain in the 41st minute and he was instructed to take it off as he stepped momentarily outside the play area.
Stadium 974
Stadium 974 in Ras Abu Aboud, Doha, Qatar opened its doors on November 30, 2021, What makes this stadium so unique is that it is a temporary venue made from 974 recycled shipping containers and hence the name. It is a tribute to the nation of Qatar which has the number 974 as its dialling code. It is the first-ever temporary venue in FIFA World Cup history.
The stadium hosted seven games this World Cup. The last game it hosted was Brazil vs South Korea. The stadium is already being dismantled.
This is football!
Brazil stands globally for the term football. Until Brazil plays their opening game, a World Cup doesn’t seem to have truly begun. It is the same in the case of their exit. When Brazil is eliminated from the tournament, it is a sad day for all football fans irrespective of their team allegiances.
Something similar happened when Brazil were eliminated by Croatia in their quarter-final clash. The world was saddened to see Neymar Jr break down to tears as his team crashed out on penalties. However, Croatian winger Ivan Perisic’s son Leo ran to console the Brazil superstar. The 10-year-old was wrapped in a warm embrace by the Brazil icon in a moment that went viral, reminding all what football actually stands for!