The soccer world has lost a legend, Diego Armando Maradona, one of the game’s best and arguably the greatest player of all time has passed away at the age of 60. Maradona is considered the best player of his generation, because how simple he made the game, and his impact he had on the millions of fans who witnessed his greatness.
I never had the privilege to see him play, but watching videos on his greatest moments during his successful 1986 World Cup and his glory days with Napoli, I understood the level of greatest this man possessed. With the ball at his feet, he turned himself into a genius, and created chances seemingly out of nowhere and left people in awe.
Maradona’s legacy for soccer will never be forgotten. Argentina fans did not simply lose their favorite player, but for some, they lost their God. This is a difficult day for soccer fans across the world, but his spirit will forever influence the beautiful game. May he rest in peace.
Francisco Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa, one of Mexico’s greatest goalkeepers, had the game of his life against Brazil at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. It was the second group stage match for both teams, and there was plenty of suspenseful moments, but Ochoa was the man of the hour, recording remarkable saves that secured a huge draw for Mexico.
Mexico were the underdogs against the host nation of the tournament, and Ochoa was in for a treat against an attacking Brazilian side.
Ochoa’s first big save of the match came at the 26th minute as he stopped a Neymar header, preventing him from scoring the first goal of the match. Known for his athletic leaping ability, Ochoa made a huge lunge across goal to swat the ball out wide. His next big save came in the 46th minute as Brazil’s Paulinho had a perfect opportunity to score right in front of goal, but Ochoa deflected the shot off his right knee to keep the deadlock intact.
Ochoa was only getting started in the first half, little did Brazil know they woke up the beast known as “Memo”. He looked like a man on a mission as he stopped yet another powerful shot from Neymar in the 68th minute with his stomach. Arguably his biggest save in the entire match came late in the 86th minute as Brazil’s Thiago Silva had an open header to score. Ochoa was in the right spot, and by the tips of his fingers stopped the shot from going in and left the whole arena in disbelief. Memo was a different kind of player that match, and he said in a postgame interview, “It was the match of my life.”
I remember watching the game with my best friends Gabe and Alex at my house, and it had us all stressed. The three of us were jumping, screaming, and yelling “MEMO!” every time he made a huge save. Even though the game ended in a draw, Mexico fans across the world were relieved, because if it weren’t for Ochoa, Mexico would have definitely lost.
With this performance, Ochoa cemented his name into one of the greatest goalkeepers that Mexico has ever produced. This is a day that he and millions of Mexico fans will never forget.
The FIFA World Cup has witnessed some of the greatest players to have ever played this wonderful game, from the likes of Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, and Zinedine Zidane. But there is only one who is truly known as the greatest ever. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, is the greatest player in World Cup history.
The Brazilian striker participated in four World Cups during his tenure with the Brazilian National Team and won a total of three (1958, 1962, 1970), the most by any player in history. Pele alone is responsible for three of Brazil’s five World Cup victories.
Witness the greatest of Pele
Pele’s most famous World Cup performance was when he won his first World Cup with Brazil in 1958 at the young age of 17. After this tournament, the world classified him as the next superstar in soccer. He scored a total of six goals including his famous hat-trick against France in the semifinals, and scored another two in the final against the host nation Sweden, leading Brazil to their first ever World Cup title.
The skills he possessed were out of this world. His ability to get past his opponents with blistering pace and his agile footwork made the opposition look silly. Whenever he had the ball, the opposing team would go out of their way to stop him by any means necessary. I couldn’t imagine what I would do if I saw a raging 17-year-old Pele charging down the field with the intention to make me look foolish.
I believe Pele is the greatest player in World Cup history. He had the pressure of an entire nation on his shoulders, and he was only 17. He managed to push aside that pressure and deliver in the most iconic fashion in the biggest sporting event in the world. Winning the World Cup three times is a feat that makes him look inhuman. The Brazilians worship Pele as the greatest player to ever put on the iconic Brazil jersey, but as the greatest of all time.
There will never be another player like Pele to dominate the World Cup, he continues to extend the gap between himself and other legends who’ve played in the World Cup.
The national anthems for both countries are played, creating special a moment for players and fans coming together before the start of every World Cup match. Letting their opponent know they are ready to win the game. This side of soccer may not be for everyone, but witnessing raw emotion from everyone singing along gives the body goosebumps.
For players, having the opportunity to sing their country’s anthem is a moment they will never forget. The gigantic roar of the crowd can leave a player filled with emotions. Many players do not get the opportunity to represent their nation at a World Cup. For many players, it can be the first and only time they will ever get to experience this monumental moment.
I have had dreams that I was playing for Mexico in the World Cup, and I was on the pitch singing along to the national anthem. I know it is a feeling that is indescribable. I hope once in my lifetime I can get the opportunity to see this with my own eyes.
On June 29, 2014, a robbery was committed in Fortaleza, Brazil by a man named Arjen Robben. It was the 92nd minute of the round of 16 matchup between Mexico and Netherlands during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Robben won a controversial game-winning penalty by flopping inside the penalty area. This ended Mexico’s tournament with a 2-1 defeat, but losing by a horrible call still haunts the fans to this day.
It has been six years, since this occurred and I for one can never forget how upset I was. Prior to the game, my dad and I discussed the chances of Mexico winning, even though they were not considered favorites. In the 48th minute , Giovanni Dos Santos scored an unlikely goal, and from then on, I believed they were going to pull off the upset. My dad and I jumped and screamed with pure excitement because no one but Mexico fans believed the team was capable of beating the Dutch. Little did I know, that was soon going to change.
The end of the game was near, and the Dutch were making a late push on a tired Mexican team. Dutchman Wesley Sneijder scored a rocket volley to tie the game in the 87th minute. To be fair, it was a miscommunication between the defenders, because the shot had pace that goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa could not have saved. Nevertheless, the game continued, and the most disgusting play I have ever seen was on the verge of happening.
Robben’s dive was not a huge surprise because his style of play is really simple. He is fast and cuts inside, but he was always known for falling quite easily. After the call was made, I quickly shouted, “NO ERA PENAL!” The replay had a clear shot that it was not a penalty, but the referee gave the penalty in spite of the players protests. The Dutch scored and won the game, and I fell to the floor in utter disappointment. I lost all respect for Robben after what he did, and I will never forgive him. It is a World Cup moment that will haunt Mexico fans for the rest of time because everyone who watched the game realized that Mexico was robbed.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup had its best song come to fruition. On May 7, 2010, “Waka Waka (Esto es Africa)”, by global superstar Shakira featuring South African group Freshlyground was released. The message of the song encourages people to continue battling towards their goals, no matter how many times they fall.
Waka Waka Official Music Video
For soccer fans across the globe, the song brought magical moments of joy during the tournament. The beat of the drums and the rhythm of the guitar will make you get up and dance. Shakira’s vocals and dancing gave a stylistic aspect to the song, but it was Freshlyground’s rhythm that brought the song to life. They were able to incorporate their style of music to the soccer realm. To this day, I listen back to this song and remember watching the games early in the morning with my dad or before I had my own match to play.
The song celebrated its 10-year anniversary earlier this year, and there is no sign of losing its touch. It is embedded to the minds of soccer fans across the world. Only a few songs have that ability to stay popular after many years. It will never be forgotten.
World Cup Soccer Talk 