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 transported 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 match 2-1 and then lift the cup by defeating Germany in the final. Maradona’s response 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 victory 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 learned that a goal itself 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 soccer ball hit Colombia’s deep defender, Andre Escobar, and was cut into the Colombia goal net in an attempt to beat the cross from the left by John Harks from America. 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 win for the USA shattered Colombia’s dreams. Escobar, who walked from the field with a heavy burden of grief, said, “Life does not end here.” But some were unable to embrace Esco’s optimism to the same extent. Esko was surrounded by a 12-member gang of drunks when he was leaving after eating at the nightclub’s restaurant on the morning of July 2. They sent Esko off for an own goal. He accused him of bringing disgrace on the country. After the argument, one of the attackers pulled out a gun and fired it. 12 bullets penetrated Esko’s body. They were shouting goal while shooting…
So, 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 games, 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 limited to the heroism of legendary players such as Pele, Maradona and Johan Cruyff. Politics, racism, poverty, surveillance 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 delighted 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 trying to survive. In the football universe, Senegal, England, Cameroon and America are all equal.
Look at the heroes of the 90s in the Dutch army that fill your mind with orange color and sweetness. How to forget the trinity was their strength. Between Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard, a white-clad Marco VanBasten smiles. The intense light of the world of black and white equality spread through them.
Even on football’s big stage, the sun’s rays have dimmed. There was such a scene at the 2006 World Cup finals in Paris. French star Zinedine Zidane hits Italian player Materazzi with his head. When Zidane walked out with a red card, the football world was stunned. What had angered Sidan, who was generally only considered decent on the field? Materazzi himself later disclosed the matter. It turned out to be another shock. Materazzi was tasked with marking Zidane. “Afraid to fight the coach, I grabbed Zidane’s shirt. Zidane said he will take his shirt off after a while. I replied that I want your sister. With Zidane out of control, the French game lost its rhythm. The world title won by Asuripada then certainly lacks luster today.
Why should we remember Nathuram Godse who shot Mahatma Gandhi on the World Cup stage? Germany’s Mario Gotze fired at Lionel Messi’s fans in the 2014 World Cup final. Gotze’s goal was Argentina’s loss and Germany’s crown. Lionel Messi looks like a king who has lost his kingdom while Gotze stands triumphant in his world-class performance. Seeing Messi standing, Argentina and Messi fans around the world quietly asked Gotze, “Why did you destroy our happiness?” The emptiness in Messi’s eyes filled the eyes of the fans. A similar question arose from the fans in the final of the 1994 World Cup. With the strength of the famous star Roberto Baggio, Italy responded to the progress of Romario and Bebeto from Brazil 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 had the chance to answer their pressing question, “Why did you do that?”, through the crown. The fans are hoping and praying that Messi will reclaim the crown and scepter that Gotze stole this time. But things will not be easy for Argentina and Messi this time either. The trump card of Brazil’s Neymar, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne, Kylian Mbappé and France’s Karim Benzema aim for a second successive title. Also, Spain, England, Germany and Denmark are not bad teams. Beyond the fact that nobody will win, the excitement is the hope that a great celebration of football will sprout on Arab soil.
There is nothing in the world that brings people together like football. The simple rules of the game make any ordinary 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 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
