Yes, I used to love football, even it historical literature. But once French striker, now retired, Zinedine Zidane, broke my soccer spirits when he scored twice against my favorite team, Brazil, in 1998 FIFA World Cup final. All in all; I still love soccer albeit not with that zeal like before.
As FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is round the corner. Let me share one of bizarre historical soccer literature: In 1971, Zaire [now Democratic Republic of Congo] made their debut in the tournament but received a thrashing, prompting then President Mobutu Sese Seko to issue a warning to the team. After being defeated 9-0 by Yugoslavia, Mobutu warned the team that they would not be allowed back into the country if they would be beaten four goals and more by Brazil.
During the match, Zaire’s Mwepu Ilunga, sprinted from the free kick wall and kicked the ball away,in protest for President Mobutu’s reluctance to pay the players their bonuses.