The World At Their Feet (2018)

I really started following the World Cup only from 1974, the year I joined a soccer crazy secondary school and was beginning to get crazy about playing, watching and following anything soccer. There was like some 44 years ago today. Wow! Unbelievable! 

I like the World Cup for its sights and sounds. The colours, the costumes, the drums, horns and bugles. The culture, the different styles of each continent and even the names of players rattled by commentators. It's a beautiful and wonderful world. Except that each World Cup, we get four years older. 

1970

It was before the 1974 World Cup where two things happened. Firstly, they showed a documentary in black and white titled "The World At Their Feet" featuring the World Cup of yesteryear including and mainly the 1970 one where Brazil and Pele were the stars. It was in black and white because the footage were from an era where there was only black and white on TV. When I was a very  young child I watched some wrestling with my uncles and then some soccer. Once, I asked my uncle Eric which soccer team was the good one and which was the bad one because that was what happened in wrestling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0aK2IgORGA (England 66)

The 1970 World Cup opened my eyes. The fact it was hosted by Mexico helped. It was a spectacle like no other where the whole world comes together for the love of the game. The Mexicans, Europeans, Africans, the Latin Americans in a kaleidoscope producing a great noise. Besides, Pele, we saw the greatest save ever when Gordon Banks made that miraculous save. Banks' compatriots Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton were great legends in their own rights. I often heard and later read that Garrincha was the best player and not Pele.  Pele is too well known so I won't talk about him. I want you to know Garrincha. Despite his great gift, Garrincha died young and broken (alcohol and perhaps women were the cause). He was the soccer playboy who smoke, drank and womanised. He was ahead of George Best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2PJnLgOPyo (Brazil 4 Italy 1)

Garrincha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OlVT18hG6c 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnSRxX_XDxc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApMH14H4Cdg

1974

WC74 was hosted by the then West Germany. Yes, at that time Germany was divided to East and West. There was an upset when the East German defeated West Germany 1-0 and that West German team was a great one as they eventually won the World Cup. I could rattle the names of their players as if it was yesterday but Sepp Maier, Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller were some of their best and greatest. More than that, 74 was remembered for the Oranje where the Flying Dutchman gave the world a new concept of ''Total Football" the brainchild of Rinus Michels and carried out on the field by his captain, the great Johan Cruyff. The soccer dished out was a breath of fresh air. It is very seldom that we remember someone or something when they came in second. Michels and Cruyff were responsible for making Ajax Amsterdam great and then they brought it up to the next level for the Netherlands and later transplanted it to Barcelona where Michels was coach and Cruyff was captain before Cruyff succeeded him eventually and brought Barcelona to greatness with a brand of total football with tiki taka. By the way, colour TV was introduced and for the first time in 1974 and we saw West Germany was black and white and Netherlands was Oranje. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Df0FpXBdaw (Netherlands 74)

1978

Argentina won as host even as the Netherlands were favourites 4 years after total football of 74. End of the story. Haha. No, I remember there was Cesar Luis Menotti, the chain-smoking Argentinian manager who is a football philosopher. Do you remember the unfancied Osvaldo Ardiles? Menotti mimicked Dutch Total Football but with pragmatism. 17 year old Maradona was dropped but who remembers and who forgets Mario Kempes? Kempes has flowing long hair and was a 'ghost' in the box. Do you also remember Argentine captain Daniel Passarella? Argentina 3 Netherlands 1. Ah, the Netherlands are the best team that never won the World Cup. 

1982

It was said the Brazil had one of the best teams ever in a World Cup. The soccer was breathtaking. Spain hosted an event that had some special players - Zico, Platini, Socrates, Zoff, etc. Brazil thrilled the world but Italy won the cup. Brazil made magic with Leandro, Junior, Socrates, Eder, Zico, Falcao. Paolo Rossi destroyed Brazil who just needed a draw and then helped Italy made Germany runners-up and walked away with not just the Golden Boot but also the Golden Ball. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3th82ZfFsUg (Brazil v Italy)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnoz4NuYMU8 (Brazil 82)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmwRB3f6ui8 (Brazil 1982)

To win or to win in style? Who says we only remember the winners and the number one?

1986

Location: Mexico. Top scorer: Gary Lineker. Diego Armanda Maradona. One 'Hand of God' goal from a cheat and the other a wonder goal from a genius. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY40__rBvSk (Maradona goals)

West Germany were the runners-up, France came in third and Belgium fourth. This World Cup gave us the Mexican Waves which was popularised worldwide thereafter.

1990

Italia90 saw West Germany won their third title. Previous winner Argentina became runners-up. Host Italy third and England fourth. We saw an English genius in Paul Gascoigne. Both lost in penalty shoot outs. It was the last time West Germany was called West Germany. I do not remember much and I think it could have been one of the worst World Cups ever. It generated the lowest goals per game of slight more than 2. The fair play flag was introduced for the first time to encourage fair play at the beginning of a match and it yielded a record 16 red cards! The top scorer and best player was a Salvatore Schillaci. Do you even remember this player? 

1994

The Stars and Stripes as host USA welcomed the world. Brazil won it as Romario announced his arrival as the best player but they had Italy beaten on penalty kicks and the only nation to have won four World Cup. Colombian Andres Escobar was executed for a own goal when he got home. The Soviet Union was broken up so Russia as a team was there for the first time. Bulgaria were the biggest surprise as they came in fourth and have their own version of Maradona in  Hristo Stoichov. Dunga scored the penalty at 3-2 and Italy's gifted star Roberto Baggio skied his. I remember the great Romario with ego to match. That thief of a goal getter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q--NE4u5sW0 (Romario)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH6Sq2l7sTo (Brazil v Italy)

1998

Host France aced it. England's Michael Owen came in as the Best Young Player. Remember that magical run and goal against Argentina? Croatian Davor Suker was the top scorer. Remember the fiasco when Brazil were soundly trounced by France 3-0. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV7XxkqLjDE (Michael Owen)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xemll_qAo-g (France 3 Brazil 0)

Remember Ronaldo? The original Ronaldo from Brazil who was also known as "The Phenomenon".  It was reported he suffered a fit at the final. He is to me one of the finest strikers that ever existed. He was so superior it was impossible to play against. Let's have ten minutes of his magic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVuyoocwEzE&gl=SG&hl=en-GB 

Another 18 minutes of viewing pleasure of the bald-headed, bucked-tooth genius!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Y9KnSkSL0

He is up there with the finest in the world! The best Ronaldo! In the meantime, do not forget an Algerian immigrant gave France who gave the world the Balladeer - Zinedine Zidane, a supremely gifted player. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7mXGMcpA0g (Zidane)

2002

Asia, Korea and Japan. At last, our time zone. Brazil won their fifth title, well, Germany were the runners-up. Surprisingly Turkey was third and South Korea fourth. Brazil's Ronaldo dominated with eight goals as top scorer but Oliver Kahn was the best player and the best young player was an American Landon Donovan. The French were humiliated after being eliminated at the group stage with only a single point and they were the defending champions! Second favourites Argentina followed suit. Something was happening in Asia. South Korea en route to the semi-final had beaten Portugal, Italy and Spain! Incredible! Wow! England lost 1-2 to Brazil in the quarter-final. England led through Michael Owen. Brazil equalised through the freakishly gifted Ronaldinho who created for Rivaldo and then scored the winner himself with a long range free-kick that dipped over David Seaman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgwEY1ODInI (Brazil v England)

Ronaldinho played with a smile and he was simply magical on the pitch. He is so richly blessed with so much talent that he was quite often unplayable and bothering on the audacious. Such a great entertainer. He alone was worth the ticket price! Now imagine Ronaldinho playing together with Lionel Messi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNWnG6HRnys

2006

Germany hosted but the Italians won by beating France on penalties. By now you could see the World Cup belong to either Brazil, Germany or Italy - usually. 2nd - France, 3rd - Germany and 4th - Portugal. Top scorer was Miroslav Klose and best player Zinedine Zidane who was sent off in the final for headbutting Materrazzi. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9HbNO3IrzI (WC2006 All Goals)

2010

Venue: South Africa, Winner: Spain (1st time). 2nd - Netherlands, 3rd - Germany, 4th - Uruguay. France won not a single match and was at the bottom of the group and went home early. Spain won 1-0 after extra-time after a record 14 yellow cards were given. It was the first time a European team has won the World Cup away from their continent. Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk should take the blame for such negative football. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgUnV3E2mh0 (WC2010 All Goals)

2014

Held in Brazil and won by the Germans. The Netherlands came in 3rd and Brazil 4th. Top scorer was James Rodiguez and Lionel Messi was named the best player. Netherlands shocked Spain 5-1 who later also lost 0-2 to Chile and Spain crashed out at the group stage. England were the same having lost to both Italy and Uruguay and Italy too crashed out when they lost to Uruguay and Costa Rica.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDvNw2S4_nA (WC2014 All Goals)

2018?

Who will the 2018 World Cup? Pele said man years ago it would be soon for an African nation to win it. Bookmakers say: (1) Brazil (2) Germany (3) Spain (4) France (5) Argentina (6) Belgium (7) England. The African continent supplied many top and special players to all the top leagues in Europe. Why hasn't it happened?

Brazil have gotten over that 7-1 thrashing. They have two of the best goalies around in Alisson Becker (Roma) and Ederson (City), a quite solid defence, proper defensive midfielders in Casemiro and Fernandinho and they have Fred, Coutinho, Willan, Diego Costa, Paulinho in the middle led by Neymar, Firmino and Gabriel Jesus in attack and in Tite a coach who has organised them into a team. Sure, champions material.

Germany are a competitive machine geared to win tournaments. Neuer is back in goal as if he has never left. With Kimmich, Rudiger, Boateng and Hummels they have experience at the back. Their greatest strength is in the middle of the park - Khedira, Julian Draxler, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Leon Goretzka, Julian Brandt, Gundogan and in attack, Marco Reus, Thomas Muller, Timo Werner, Gomez. Champions written all over.

Spain have a bit of problem shooting themselves in the foot before a ball was kicked when they sack their manager 2 days before kick off. De Gea at goal will save them some. Sergio Ramos could break some arms and tear some shoulders, Pique Alba, Azpilicueta, Monreal can stop opponents. They are very talented and have an engine that is premium with David Silva, Thiago, Isco, Koke, Busquets, Iniesta and leading their strike force Diego Costa, Aspas, Asensio. Almost like Real Madrid and Barcelona combined forces. Surely they could do it again.

France can equal to the above three. Strength in depth. Very talented squad. Lloris has a safe pair of hands. Protecting them will be Umtiti, Varane, Sibide, Mendy, Hernandez. Protecting them further in the middle they have Kante, Nzonzi, Pogba. Ad an awesome attack with Nabil Fekir, O. Dembele, Oliver Giroud, Griezman, Kylian Mbappe and Thomas Lemar. They are the least favourite among the favourites but certainly a very strong dark horse. I really think the French can do it.

Argentina has Lionel Messi the greatest player on this planet but he has yet to truly light up a World Cup and at 31 this could be his last. Argentina are very strong from the middle to upfront. Mascherano, Biglia, Pavon, Lanzini, Banega, Di Maria with an attack that scream goals - Messi, Aguero, Dybala and Higuain. The limelight and pressure is less on them. Suits them well.

Belgium always have the World Cup pedigree and have produced some top players at different times in World Cup history. They have some really top keepers like Jean Marie Pfaff in the 70s to 80s. The greatest Belgian defender of all time in Eric Gerets. Newcastle's Philippe Albert. The stupendous Enzo Scifo. The impressive and imposing Jan Ceulemans. Do not forget another great goalie Michel Preud'homme considered one of the world's best during  his time. Today, Belgium certainly have a team that can win the world cup if they play to their enormous potential. Chelsea goalie Tibaut Courtois is not easy to beat. WIth Vincent Kompany, Vertonghen and Alderweireld they can keep it tight at the back. Fellaini can protect further and surprise and with Kevin de Bruyne conducting play, Lukaku and Hazard can create havoc. Why can't they do it? 

England is  everyone's favourite team here due to history and familiarity but familiarity breeds contempt. This joke crop up during every World Cup that the England team visited an orphanage, "It's heart breaking to see their sad little faces with no hope" said Vladimir, 6. However, there is now no pressure and no expectation on Gareth Southgate and his team. The right thing to do is to bring a young team with no fear for the experience for future campaign. Southgate himself was Under-21 coach who has handled many of the current players. He is not the best coach in the world but has handled everything very well such as dropping Rooney and Hart without any one batting an eyelid. He has the courage to blood in youngsters and bring along those who are in form only and his ability to build a team and play in a certain way. In goal, Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland and Nick Pope are about equal but Pickford has this ability to play the ball with his foot and pick a man upfield with his kick and boy he has quite a range. They have a decent defence but must hope they are not prone to lapses in concentration. He has Dele Alli who Pochettino called the best in the world for his age. There are other element of surprises in the young Jesse Lingard, Raheem Stirling who starred for City, Jamie Vardy and Marcus Rashford. Even captain harry Kane who bagged 41 goals is only 24. Problem is when they face teams Germany or Brazil they may be found short and wanting. Or can they do a Leicester City who after all had a 5,000 to 1 odds? ENgland do not have enough resources not enough strength in depth. They are the current Under-18 European champions and Under-20 World Champions. Young an dgifted players like Liverpool's Rhian Brewster was the World Cup top scorer and City's Phil Fodden was voted the Best Player. They and the other youngsters will come of age in the next couple of World Cup.

Best Players in 2018?

Not all the best players in the world gets to play in the World Cup let alone to shine in one. Even Messi and Ronaldo have not till now but this could be their last World Cup. There have been many top players who have never been to the World Cup or to win one. Messi is already the greatest player of all time if not Ronaldo, he does not need to win one to prove so.

Think George Best (N. Ireland), Pat Jennings (N. Ireland), Ian Rush (Wales), Ryan Giggs (Wales), George Wea (Liberia), Neville Southhall (Wales), David Ginola (France), Sammi Hyypia (Finland), Jari Litmanen (Finland), Arnold Muhren (Netherlands), Gareth Bale (Wales), Bernd Schuster (Germany), Duncan Edwards (England), Eric Cantona (France), Alfredo Di Stefano (Argentina, Colombia, Spain) - this is funny (top player, 3 countries), Andy Cole (England), Abedi Pele (Ghana), Matthew Le Tissier (England), BIll Foulkes (England), Kazuyoshi Miura (Japan), Johnny Giles (Wales), Liam Brady (Ireland). None made it to the World Cup. What a shame!

That is life. Put the above names together and they can be a team to win a World Cup. The great di Stefano changed 3 countries and still never been to one.

If you saw what Cristiano Ronaldo did against Spain, you will have an idea how amazingly good he is at 33 and what a goal machine. Spain conceded only 3 goals in qualification and in one night Ronaldo put 3 past them. First match and a hattrick so if he keeps on he could be the top scorer and bet player. Would you rule out Lionel Messi. Ronaldo is a highly talented supreme athlete but Messi is the truly God's gift to mankind and soccer. He could still rule the world at this World Cup if Argentina's coach play him like Barcelona.

What about Neymar who is capable of his own magic. Harry Kane has outscored even Messi and Ronaldo. 21 year old Timo Werner is a German star in the making. Argentina's Paolo Dybala, 23 is another explosive player. France's Kylian Mbappe at 19 is already a big star and top player. We all know know old horses Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani of Uruguay.

I suspect it is gonna be between the two greatest of them all - Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and Ronaldo has a headstart.