The World At Their Feet

THE WORLD AT THEIR FEET

This summer, football’s young pretenders have the chance to join an illustrious group of players to excel at the World Cup before reaching maturity.
Greg Rose reflects….


It is every youngster’s dream; growing up to play in a World Cup and taking it by storm. But imagine achieving this dream before growing up! A select few players have gone to World Cup Finals as relative unknowns and returned as household names, all in their formative years. To achieve this, players need an exceptional temperament, a prospering team, natural talent in abundance – and luck.


The special players who managed to leave their mark in their inaugural Finals appearances are a rare breed. Pele’s position as the archetypal World Cup prodigy illustrates this. Aged just 17 years 235 days old, he made his debut on the biggest stage against the USSR in 1958. Having been a reserve for Brazil’s first two games, he burst onto the international stage, scoring six goals in four games and inspiring his country to victory.


Pele’s emergence as a central figure in Brazil’s success seemed pre-destined. In 1958 World Cup rules changed so that players had to be assigned individual numbers for the entire tournament; previously they could change from game-to-game. The Brazilians overlooked this, so it was left to tournament officials to assign the numbers at the last moment. While goalkeeper Gilmar was designated number 3, the inexperienced Pele was given a starting striker’s shirt – number 10. The number is now synonymous with the icon.


Eight years later in 1966, another player now regarded as one of football’s all-time greats took the World Cup by storm – Franz Beckenbauer. For most, 1966 is remembered, rightly so, as England’s finest hour. However, this has led to Beckenbauer’s emergence being largely forgotten. ‘The Kaiser’ scored twice on his World Cup debut against Switzerland and commanded his side with authority beyond his years. The 20-year-old occupied a traditional central-midfield position; it wasn’t until later in his career that he adopted his trademark sweeper role.


Beckenbauer was a revelation, scoring four goals to become the tournament’s third-highest scorer. The Times, reporting on West Germany’s group match against Spain, commented on “Beckenbauer surging through the middle” and highlighted his “magic feet.” This attacking approach was vital to his team. “West Germany’s problem was that their attack is only dangerous when Beckenbauer moves up.” This exposes the centrality of Beckenbauer’s performances to West German aspirations of victory.


In the Final, where England famously defeated West Germany, Beckenbauer was again notable, perhaps more through his absence from the centre of action. Showing typical maturity, Beckenbauer manfully shackled Bobby Charlton, seen as England’s main threat after a majestic two-goal display in England’s semi-final. However, with Germany’s most creative influence concentrating on defensive issues, England went on to carve out the chances that earned them a 4-2 win. Despite the loss, Beckenbauer’s place on the world stage was assured, a position he was to confirm over the ensuing decades.


At Mexico1970 an unknown Peruvian called Teofilo Cubillas was the player who forced his way into the consciousness of football fans the world over. Peru reached the quarter-finals for the first and only time in their history, with Cubillas scoring five goals in four games to help achieve this feat.


More than anything, it was the style in which Cubillas played the game which endeared him to the footballing public. In a World Cup containing arguably the most gifted and expressive side in history, the eventual winners Brazil, Cubillas epitomised this embracing of attacking tactics. He was affectionately known as ‘Nene’ – meaning ‘The Baby’, due to his youthful exuberance and boyish looks.


‘The Baby’ grew up during Peru’s quarter-final encounter with Brazil at the Guadalajara stadium though, as both teams produced a carnival of attacking football which ebbed and flowed throughout the 90 minutes. The clash between Pele at one end and the young pretender Cubillas at the other created a resounding respect between the two. Although Peru lost the game 4-2, Cubillas went on to secure a lucrative move to FC Porto, while in 2004 Pele named him in his FIFA 100 list of the greatest players of all time.


Pele, Beckenbauer and Cubillas went on to have long and distinguished careers after their initial meteoric rises. The man who stole the show at World Cup 1998 is still in the throes of his, being key to English hopes of victory in Germany this summer. He only played two full matches, but installed himself as the new star of international football. His name is Michael Owen.


Owen didn’t start England’s first two fixtures, playing just 22 minutes. Nevertheless, the 18-year-old made an impression, poaching from close-range against Romania. He forced himself into the starting eleven against Argentina, against whom he scored the goal that established him worldwide. Deftly controlling a pass on the run, Owen accelerated past two defenders before rifling a diagonal shot into the top-left corner. England went on to lose this game, meaning Owen’s World Cup was over. However, his impact was so monumental he has been a regular for England ever since, scoring 35 goals in 75 games.


The chance is there for another youngster to make the giant leap from promising talent to international superstar. Many have shown the potential with their club sides to leave their mark on Germany, but the difficulty in achieving this is shown by the omission of Diego Maradona from Argentina’s 1978 World Cup squad. The player who would inspire Argentina to victory in 1986 was not risked aged 18; this decision seems wise as the South Americans lifted the trophy for the first time.


Maradona had become Argentina’s youngest ever international, aged 16, while in 1978 he captained his country to the World Youth Cup. This didn’t deter coach Cesar Luis Menotti from leaving the blossoming Argentinos Juniors player out of his squad. Similarly, 16-year-old revelation Freddy Adu will watch the World Cup at home this year, despite strong support for his inclusion in USA’s squad. Both players were deemed too young and inexperienced to handle the pressures of a World Cup.


Nevertheless, there are numerous footballing sensations vying to light up Germany 2006. Lionel Messi, Argentina’s 18-year-old attacking midfielder, is a possible candidate. He forced his way into the full national squad in August 2005 after some mesmerising performances for his club, Barcelona. Tipped to win a place in Argentina’s side come their opening fixture against the Ivory Coast, Messi has already been hailed “the best player in the world” by Maradona.


Another whose club form has rocketed him into the international setup is Spain and Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas. If Spain are to fulfil their potential this summer Fabregas will need to dominate midfields in the manner he has in the Premiership. His comfort on the ball and cultured passing could set him apart this summer. However, England fans will be hoping Fabregas’ Arsenal team-mate Theo Walcott will outshine all and repay the faith shown by Sven-Goran Eriksson following his shock inclusion in the Three Lions’ squad.


These players are well established names within the European game despite their young ages and inexperience at international, and in Walcott’s case, club level. However, many players could emerge this summer that are relatively unknown to the general football fan. This is the magic of the World Cup; it provides a truly global stage to perform on. It is up to one youngster to impose himself on this stage and emulate the greats of the past who have arrived at World Cups with everything to prove – and left with the world at their feet.

Greg Rose