Heroes & Villains : Messi the Magician and frightful FIFA

Heroes

Lionel Messi
As an impressive Iran held Alejandro Sabella’s side at 0-0, with the clock ticking down, all Argentine eyes looked toward brilliant Barca magician Men. After what had been a fairly quiet performance by his stellar standards, and him looking more like Clark Kent than Superman, Messi finally shrugged off his mortal disguise and fired home a truly sublime winner.

The stoppage time goal, a sensational left-footed strike, was incredibly unfair on Iran, but that’s the beauty and the tragedy of football, and it was impossible not to step back in awe and admire the genius behind it.

Miroslav Klose
Everyone’s favourite Polish-born poacher, Klose, once again rescued Germany from the jaws of defeat, this time against Ghana, to draw level with Brazilian legend Ronaldo as the record World Cup scorer.

In a plot that was familiar and predictable, but still terribly exciting, the 36-year-old equalled history, with his first touch barely two minutes after arriving on the pitch.

In a last throw of the dice, with Germany trailing, Joachim Low threw veteran stager Klose on and was almost instantly rewarded, as fate took its course and the Lazio striker netted his 15th World Cup finals goal. He will never have a simpler finish, prodding home a Benedikt Howedes’ downward set piece header from inches out.

Klose is no way as technically blessed as Ronaldo was, but that is his appeal. He is the ordinary man thrust into extraordinary situations, with his only superpowers being exceptional timing and instinct, and the ability to sniff-out a half-chance where others would see none.

After conceding twice against Ghana, and lucky to leave with a draw, Germany may yet again need to call on their sharpshooter’s services.

Villains

FIFA
When Diego Maradona, sent home from World Cup 1994 after testing positive for banned substances, weighs in on a drugs debate, you know you’ve hit rock bottom. FIFA, seemingly shocked to the core that ‘cannon fodder’ Costa Rica could deviate from the script and defeat darlings Italy, requested seven of Jorge Luis Pinto’s team for doping control after the game, five more than the norm.

The Central Americans were reportedly more irritated with the timing than the tests themselves, and whilst it should be commended that FIFA are enforcing such measures so stringently, this episode reeks of football snobbery from a patronising, party-pooping governing body.

With a hardly sterling reputation at the moment itself, they have played the shadowy, interfering, Orwellian organisation of 1984 to a tee. Every fairytale story does need a villain though, as giant-killers Costa Rica seek to add a third scalp to their impressive list against England – just imagine how many of the squad will be tested if they beat Brazil!

Italy and Mario Balotelli
All the best villains are those who could have been heroes, ultimately disappointing after promising so much. No, not England, nobody really expected anything from them. Instead, Italy and their leading man, ‘Super Mario’ Balotelli, who contrived to dash the hopes of not one but two nations, are the true villains of this piece.

Whilst we are sure Her Majesty the Queen will be privately relieved not to have to take the fiery forward up on his demand of a kiss (on the cheek) if the Azzurri had beaten Costa Rica, thousands of English hearts were broken as Italy huffed and puffed their way to a defeat.

The result meant England were out of the World Cup, with Balotelli, previously the match-winner against the Three Lions, unable to inspire himself to perform against Central American minnows. After much anticipation, it was Fulham flop Bryan Ruiz who channelled his inner Robin Hood, and stole the show.