Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2018 i FourFourTwo UK

Here’s what we’ve been asking ourselves in the final few weeks before the World Cup kicks off. How would Nigel de Jong react if we asked him to pose with a child’s lawnmower? Rather well, as it turns out. The Dutch destroyer relives his greatest hits, specifically on Xabi Alonso – ‘I’d like to take him for a beer’ – while playing up to his nickname (p10). How important is Paul Pogba to France? Once upon a time the golden boy for Les Bleus, the Man United midfielder will be hoping to put a patchy season behind him and prove to the world that he’s still the main man for Didier Deschamps’ side (p32). Roberto Firmino – can he flick it? Yes he can. We caught up with the Liverpool…

“I WAS ALWAYS COVERING EVERY BLADE OF GRASS, SO CITY’S FANS CALLED ME THE LAWNMOWER” WOULD HE GET THE BETTER OF ROY KEANE? DOES ‘THE LAWNMOWER’ MOW HIS OWN LAWN? HAS HE EVER SPOKEN TO ALONSO ABOUT THAT TACKLE? It’s a roasting hot day in Mainz, the small German city sat cozily on the banks of the Rhine that’s home to around 200,000 people, and FFT has just asked Nigel de Jong to clamber aboard a giant lawnmower and look moody for the cameras. “I can do that,” he says with a smirk, before jumping on top of an orange mower and gripping the steering wheel. The choice of garden machinery is deliberate – it’s a nod to the nickname he was given by Manchester City…

Russia vs Saudi Arabia June 14 The World Cup begins in Moscow: opening games surely don’t get any better than this Portugal vs Spain June 15 Iberian rivals clash in Sochi – it’s 12 years since either side won their opening World Cup game Brazil vs Switzerland June 17 Neymar and Coutinho once lost a key game to the Swiss at the U17 World Cup. Payback time? Argentina vs Croatia June 21 One of the group stage’s most attractive games. Can Croatia fulfil their potential and stop Messi? England vs Panama June 24 It’s the John Darwin derby, England against the rank outsiders. What could possibly go wrong? England vs Belgium June 28 The head-to-head that everyone’s been waiting for: Gareth Southgate against Roberto Martinez…

Only 57 players have hit the back of the net in a World Cup final – and this fascinating account features an interview with every living goalscorer. Licensed by FIFA, legends of the game give their accounts: from Pele and Mario Kempes to Zinedine Zidane and Andres Iniesta. Geoff Hurst says his hat-trick goal in 1966 was a mishit, Italy’s Marco Tardelli explains how he went deaf during his 1982 goal celebration, and Jorge Burruchaga reveals Argentina’s inspiration in 1986: not Diego Maradona, but the Bonnie Tyler track they insisted on hearing before kick-off. The coach driver was told to slow down to ensure they heard the full song before arriving at the stadium. In total, 34 players give interviews and pose for compelling portrait photographs – although five of…

Most of the focus will be on Mo Salah when Egypt take to the field at the World Cup, though he’s not the only world-renowned name in their squad. They’ve also got Mahmoud Hassan, who goes by the name of ‘Trezeguet’ – in honour of former France striker David, of course. “It all started when I was the top scorer of my school team,” the 23-year-old, who spent 2017-18 with Kasimpasa, tells FFT. “I scored a lot of goals and my coach called me Trezeguet, as I looked like him and he was taking Europe by storm.” Such a name could bring added pressure, but the winger has never shied away from it. “It’s always been like that since I was nine,” he says. “It made me stand out but…

@NevilleSouthall If I had three minutes to live I would watch the DVD of Everton’s season – would seem like a lifetime left. @marcusrashford After years of you standing on the touchline in the cold, Mum we’re off to the World Cup! @LuisSuarez9 Happy to announce I’m joining the Tronsmart family, their products enhance my musical experience during my season! @GalacticKeegan It was agony choosing my England squad for Euro 2000 – phoning the lads who missed out was tough. I remember breaking the news to John Hartson. “Kev, I’m Welsh,” he said. “That’s the spirit, son,” I replied. @MikeyArnold8 FourFourTwo’s World Cup preview has kicked me off. World Cup fever is here and I can’t wait.…

LIONEL MESSI The Flea doesn’t strike FFT as much of a Talking Heads fan, but the 2018 World Cup really is the same as it ever was for the Argentina magician. Once more in his lifetime, Leo must try to win football’s ultimate prize and definitively escape the stocky shadow of Diego Maradona. Genuine greatness awaits if the 30-year-old can finally secure the trophy set. THOMAS MULLER Germany’s Raumdeuter (Space Invader) is one of three players to score five or more goals in two different World Cups, along with compatriot Miroslav Klose and Peru icon Teofilo Cubillas. If the Bayern Munich forward makes it three in Russia, he’ll already be closing in on Klose’s 16-goal tournament record. He may look a bit clumsy, but the 28-year-old guarantees goals. JAMES RODRIGUEZ…

David Beckham had a telescopic boot and constant supply of ice to mend his broken metatarsal for the 2002 World Cup. Four years later, Wayne Rooney preferred to use an oxygen chamber, and Neymar’s spent much of 2018 playing poker. Roman Torres, however, has a steam room. “You’ve got to kick back and relax every now and again,” says the Seattle Sounders and Panama defensive linchpin, who is recovering from a hamstring niggle, when he sits down for a World Cup chat with FourFourTwo. “I’ll definitely be ready.” Los Canaleros are only heading to Russia thanks to the bulldozing centre-back’s heroics last October. With three minutes left of Central American qualifying, Torres – thrust into emergency centre-forward action – blootered a bouncing ball into Costa Rica’s net to seal both…

I wouldn’t exactly say it was a chore to play for Spain before Euro 2008, but we really didn’t enjoy it much at all. There was a bad atmosphere in the squad, and for a while there was a divide between the Real Madrid and Barcelona factions. You might have very good players, but if you don’t have a good group, you are a long way away from ever winning anything. We weren’t together: the press were against us, and fans whistled us. We lost two of our first three Euro 2008 qualifiers to Sweden and Northern Ireland. Even qualifying looked hard. Our two captains, Iker Casillas and Xavi, brought all the players together. They’d won the Under-20 World Cup in 1999 and were close friends. They knew that something…

Who? Arsenal centre-back who George Graham signed from Norwich for £1.2 million in 1990. The ex-Leeds and Oldham man’s finest moment was in the 1993 FA Cup Final replay, when he defied a broken nose to nod in Arsenal’s 119th-minute winner. He hung up his boots in 2001 at St Albans. Breaking into that backline must have been pretty tough... Well at least he didn’t have to contend with Tony Adams breaking his arm like poor old Steve Morrow. Upon retirement, qualified plumber Andy started his own fi rm. The tale goes, his van reads: “Average Footballer, Excellent Plumber”. Please tell us that’s true… Sadly not. He jokingly said it to Ray Parlour during Highbury’s last match in 2006. “The next thing, Talksport are calling me to ask if it’s…

Some of Brazil’s finest players honed their skills out on the streets – were you the same? Yes, street football helped me a lot when I was younger. I learnt technical skills in really tight spaces, but I also learnt how to fight and battle, which were equally important. My experiences playing street football meant I was no longer afraid of facing a tackle on the pitch. Sometimes it was a bit dangerous, but it was worth it as I learnt to fight for what I wanted, and always with honesty. Whenever I’m playing now, I can still feel the benefits of street football. Who were your favourite Samba stars when you were growing up? The players I watched the most as a kid were Ronaldo and Ronaldinho (below). I…

Chelsea Their starlets bagged a fifth consecutive FA Youth Cup by beating Arsenal, but will they ever get a chance to shine for the seniors? Thiago Silva The PSG captain lifted the Coupe de France with opposing skipper Sebastien Flochon, to recognise the feats of third-tier Les Herbiers in reaching the final. Mohamed Salah Liverpool legend scooped the Golden Boot with 32 Premier League goals, which set a new record for a 38-match season. Hamburger SV The only club to have participated in every Bundesliga campaign since its foundation in 1963 finally slipped through the trap door. Lewis Ward The Aldershot keeper saved two penalties in a play-off shootout, but hit the woodwork with his own kick as Ebbsfleet progressed. Graeme Murty Rangers removed the ex-Reading defender as boss after…

FFDTV Skills channel Watch exclusive clips of Reiss Nelson, Jadon Sancho and Tammy Abraham showing off their favourite flicks. Twitter: @ffdtvonline FREDERICO MORAIS Portuguese coach Improve your ability to lead different sessions and systems with pointers from the UEFA Pro Licence holder. Twitter: @moraisfrederico DR JOHN SULLIVAN Sports scientist & psychologist He helps Navy SEALs, snipers and athletes to perform under stress and could aid your game, too. Twitter: @brainalwayswins…

MANUEL NEUER “He’s always linked closely to me, as I often get asked about the goal that never was against him at the 2010 World Cup. I actually bumped into him on holiday last year and we had a joke about it by the pool. He was open to the fact that it was a goal – easy to say years after the event! He’s a fantastic goalkeeper, good with his feet and it’s just the size of him: I took a penalty against him in the 2012 Champions League Final and it seemed like he filled the goal. He was a big part of Germany’s 2014 World Cup success – you can’t win it without a great keeper.” RIO FERDINAND “Rio always played well at major tournaments. I saw…

Martin Bowyer: Mancunian illustrator Martin – based in Denmark – brought to life our list of the World Cup’s worst ever villains. “It was really good fun to work on. I was laughing as I was drawing, especially when it came to the Brazilian water bottle incident. Poor old Branco!” Stefan Grey: Persuading a notorious hard man to show his playful side isn’t easy, but expert snapper Stefan was able to get former Man City and Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong to pose with a toy lawnmower. “He’d had a long week, but was more than willing to play along.” Felipe Rocha: The Brazilian journalist chatted with the man credited with turning around the fortunes of the Selecao – head coach Tite. “He’s done a fantastic job to get Brazil…

HIGH: 2004 Lifts the Eredivisie title with Ajax at end of first full season in the Amsterdam side’s first team LOW: 2006 Loses place in Ajax midfield, opts against signing new contract and moves to Hamburg HIGH: 2009 Signs for Man City in £18 million deal on four-and-a-half-year contract at Etihad Stadium LOW: 2010 Becomes pantomime villain after tackle on Xabi Alonso as Dutch lose World Cup final to Spain HIGH: 2012 Part of City side who dramatically win the Premier League title on the final day of the season LOW: 2014 More World Cup agony – this time in the semi-finals as Dutch lose to Argentina on penalties HIGH: 2018 Helps Mainz avoid relegation from the Bundesliga after joining the German club from Galatasaray…

“IN MY FIRST CLASICO, THE BERNABEU WAS FULL, I SCORED AND WE BEAT BARÇA - ONE OF THE BEST NIGHTS OF MY LIFE” Osijek 2 Pristina 1 April 17, 1985 Yugoslav First League “I started my career at hometown club Osijek. Against Pristina, I scored my first ever goal in the Yugoslav League. That was so important for my career because I was still very young. Thank God, at the clubs I played for I always had a decent percentage of scoring goals. I left Osijek in 1989 to sign for Dinamo Zagreb, and moved to Spain two years after that to play for Sevilla and, later, Real Madrid.” Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 0 December 7, 1996 La Liga “From my spell with Real Madrid, I’ll pick my first Clasico…

“WE CERTAINLY TALK ABOUT GOING BEYOND THE LAST 16, BUT WE WON’T STOP THERE - IT’S ABOUT LEAVING A MARK” You joined Los Angeles FC for their debut season in MLS. Have you enjoyed it so far? It’s been amazing. All my friends feel a bit jealous now because I live in Los Angeles and I’m part of a very exciting project. I’m very happy that I made the move. I played in Europe for over 10 years and wanted to be closer to my friends and family – for Mexicans that’s important. You were announced as the new club’s first ever signing. Was that an honour? I felt special when I first signed. Last year I made it clear what I wanted. I told my agent, ‘I want to…

DERBY DECLINE The decline in British players in the Premier League means derbies no longer have edge, with few local players. Janet Risler BUDGET BOOST Is Pep on the same level as managers like Tuchel, Pochettino or Eusebio Di Francesco, given the money that he’s spent? Aaron Adams HE’S ALL RIGHT, JACK Jack Wilshere should have gone to the World Cup – he’s one of the few players who could have made a big difference. Tony Wharton STEVIE G’S GAMBLE Joining Rangers is a risk for Steven Gerrard. It’s a club who won’t accept finishing second, and the gap to Celtic is still huge. Ian Stewart WAGNER OMISSION I’m amazed that Sandro Wagner didn’t make it into Germany’s World Cup squad. He has five goals in eight caps! Magnus Siegel…

Two things populate the internet: cat memes and how-to guides that will supposedly boost your self-confidence and help you make decisions, set goals and challenge yourself. After all, dogs don’t chase parked cars, do they? You don’t need to bother with any of them. Just stand in a room with Mats Hummels. From the moment the Bayern Munich and Germany defender walks into FFT’s temporary studio deep in the bowels of the Allianz Arena, he exudes the sense of serene self-assurance you’d expect from a world champion who has recently won yet another Bundesliga title. But Hummels is no arrogant prima donna, nor is his demeanour an overcompensating façade. The centre-back’s got an aura, a healthy, almost infectious confidence. “It’s so important,” he tells us, shortly before posing for the…

MARCO ASENSIO Spain | Attacking midfielder | 22 One always wondered how Marco Asensio could top his 2016-17 season. It started with him scoring a sublime goal in the UEFA Super Cup win over Sevilla and ended with his strike confirming Real Madrid’s 12th coronation as European champions, adding their final goal in the 4-1 Champions League final victory over Juventus in Cardiff. It hasn’t always been straightforward during a campaign in which Zinedine Zidane’s side laboured domestically, when they were widely expected to embark on a new era of dominance. Yet much like the team’s centrepiece, Cristiano Ronaldo, the 22-year-old started to rev up as the season moved into the home strait. Asensio’s season is that of his team’s in microcosm. Many awaited a show of superiority and they…

MEETING OF MINDS FIFA recognised the Olympics as a world cup for amateurs in 1914. Belgium won it in 1920, then Uruguay in both ’24 and ’28, but the game’s governing body wanted its own event. It got the nod at a FIFA Congress in Amsterdam on May 28, 1928. URUGUAY ALL THE WAY FIFA president Jules Rimet set about making this ‘World Cup’ thing a reality. Uruguay were picked as hosts because 1930 was the nation’s independence centenary, they were the best team on the planet, and they offered to cover all travel costs. FROM EUROPE, NO LOVE Most European nations refused FIFA’s invitation; Sweden, Spain, Italy, Hungary and the Dutch pulling out when they weren’t picked to host. Rimet coralled the French into sending a side, and also…

Yer Man Eurovision winner Dana’s cheery, and weirdly prescient, 1982 World Cup ditty predicts that Northern Ireland will “go to Spain and show ‘em how to play the game.” Brazil 1970 kit Has there ever been a more iconic strip than the Selecao’s no-nonsense design in which they were crowned world kings for a third time? Pele, Jairzinho et al would insist not. Beautiful. Pennants A World Cup clash doesn’t feel right if both captains don’t exchange triangular tasselled gifts before kick-off. It beats the shoulder bump and ‘bro shake’ any day.…

1 “WHAT DO YOU MEAN, I’M BANNED FROM THE STADIUM?” Turkey Denizli One Denizlispor supporter knew exactly what to do when he was slapped with a one-year stadium ban: hire a massive crane and park it outside the ground for the next home match. He was soon towering over his fellow fans at the Ataturk Stadium – attaching a giant green and black flag to the end of the crane, the scarf-twirling fanatic even conducted chants as Denizlispor beat Gaziantepspor 5-0. He’ll be selling tickets up there next. 2 BORAT’S A PLZEN FAN Czech Republic Plzen Viktoria Plzen have made it back to the Champions League group stage for the first time in five years: the excitement has clearly got the better of some fans. During a win over Karvina,…

Alex and Sian will be sketching every 2018 sticker this summer for charity – more details on Twitter @CheapPanini BY THE BOOK Argentina’s FA said sorry after releasing a World Cup manual offering tips to impress Russian women – warning that some will ‘only pay attention to material things, like money’…

“I DON’T KNOW WHY I GOT THE NAME DION. MAYBE MY MUM AND DAD WANTED A GIRL?” Hi Dion. You invented The Dube – but have you ever felt the urge to launch into a percussive frenzy? Hi. I get The Dube out once a week, but I go into a percussive frenzy every day! I can get a rhythm out of anything. I’m always drumming the table, and once I start, I have to get that rhythm right. It drives my wife nuts. Would you agree you’re the greatest footballer/inventor of all time, or was that Craig Johnston? Hmm. I can’t even pretend to be in the same category as Craig, as he invented the Predator! He helped David Beckham bend the ball around the wall, so that’s maybe…

Boy wonder Tournament top scorer with five goals as Mexico win the 2005 Under-17 World Cup. Scores in the final as El Tri overcome Brazil 3-0 Lima. Rivals thrashed Scores in front of 79,000 fans at New York’s Giants Stadium as Mexico thump the USA 5-0 in the 2009 Gold Cup Final, his first trophy at senior level. Basque sensation Crowned Real Sociedad’s player of the season ahead of Antoine Griezmann in 2013-14, scoring 21 goals as La Real competed in the Champions League.…

It seems remarkable to think that in the run-up to Euro 2016, Paul Pogba was regarded as the most likely match-winner for the host nation. Two years on, the Frenchman’s star has fallen to such a degree in his homeland that there are even doubts about whether he will be an automatic inclusion in Les Bleus’ best starting XI, as they look to win the World Cup for only the second time in their history. Pogba’s predominantly humdrum displays for Manchester United and supposedly prickly relationship with his manager, Jose Mourinho, haven’t gone unnoticed in a country that laps up anything and everything on the Premier League. His underwhelming output for United in recent months means that serious questions are being asked in France about the size and nature of…

Roberto Firmino is a happy man, and when he’s a happy man, boy do you know about it. The Liverpool forward has just had his best season yet in a Reds shirt, and now the Brazilian is excitedly anticipating his first World Cup. The enthusiasm shows not only in that trademark pearly-white smile, but also in the way Firmino strides into the studio to meet FourFourTwo for a pre-tournament chit-chat and photoshoot, laughing and joking all the while. “I’ve seen this before but have never played it,” he says with a boyish grin as FFT’s snapper presents him with a Subbuteo table. Sure enough, his first flick results in a goal. “GOOOOOOOOOLLLL!” he screams, before collapsing into fits of laughter. Finding the back of the net has been something the…

Raindrops ripple puddles and pelt the umbrellas of camera crews trying to wrap up a shoot, before Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard seeks salvation in the plush training facility that’s playing host to this afternoon’s activities. When he does step inside, he might decide he'd rather get drenched, as the walls are covered in Manchester City emblems and action photos of the Premier League champions. Lingard is not behind enemy lines, however. Bury have leased City’s former Carrington training ground and are yet to completely dress it with their own inspiring signage. The Warrington wonder is here to talk to FFT ahead of his first World Cup – once he's dried off. Soon, the 25-year-old bounces through the door, dancing and singing along to T-Shirt, a hit by American hip…

The ever-grinning Son Heung-min may have established a reputation as one of the most happy-go-lucky players in world football, but his 2014 World Cup ended in tears. South Korea came bottom of their group in Brazil: after drawing their opener with Russia 1-1, they lost to Algeria and Belgium. Son at least scored in the 4-2 defeat to the North African surprise package, but it was an otherwise underwhelming tournament that concluded with a 1-0 loss to the Belgians – cue waterworks from poor Sonny. He knew both he and his team had not done enough to satisfy a generation of supporters still harbouring vivid memories of the iconic run to the 2002 semi-finals. Much has changed for Son since then. He joined Tottenham Hotspur from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015…

“My friends and I were just standing around and chatting when the Russians seemed to appear out of nowhere and started attacking people at random.” Helen Gordon has been following England at away matches since 2005, but describes the trouble that plagued the Euro 2016 group-stage fixture between England and Russia in Marseille as her worst experience following the national team over land and sea. “When I was down near the port on the day of the game, I got locked in a bar when all the fighting kicked off,” she explains. “I couldn’t believe the French police had let the Russians through their barricade to the England fans. “The tear gas came into the bar, which was awful. We were then given a police escort to the metro station,…

ILUNGA GETS AWAY WITH ONE Zaire’s Mwepu Ilunga wrote himself into World Cup folklore in one moment against Brazil in 1974: with the Selecao preparing to take a free-kick, he rushed out of the wall and walloped the ball downfield. The defender later said his action had been a protest against the Zaire authorities, who’d refused to pay them and threatened their lives. His frustration had also been evident in the match against Yugoslavia (which Zaire lost 9-0) during which he kicked the Colombian referee up the backside. The official mistakenly sent off Ndaye Mulamba, and FIFA shamefully banned Mulamba for 12 months despite clear evidence of his innocence. A sorry tale. REPEAT OFFENDER Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez has so far had two bites – pun intended – at the…

Big Eck’s big smile Current Scotland boss Alex McLeish looked fresh-faced for a May 1980 clash against old enemy England. McCoist the model What’s better than Ally McCoist on a front cover? Two. And a rabbit... Centenary celebrations “Are you absolutely sure a giant cartoon Pele is going to turn up?” “I’ll name that tune in one...” Graeme Souness and Dixie Deans tinkle pre-Spain ivories in 1974. ¡Viva Argentina! When the world champions are in town, bring out your best tartan. Rod Stewart, the torero Nothing says Scotland-Spain quite like a cartoon, bullfighting lion. Olé! Tartan rides again A more parsimonious tartan for the Euro 80 qualifier with Norway. Less is more, lads. Less is more. Punching above their weight Is it a bird? Is it a plane?…

Ireland fan, Neil Roche “It was only a week before the game when my mate Gary said we should head over to Florida and watch Ireland play at the World Cup. We arrived the day before the Boys in Green took on the Dutch and had no time to waste, so we popped on an Ireland and Celtic top each and went off in search of both beer and tickets. Naive locals didn’t understand how to tout and it wasn’t long before we were the proud owners of two $35 tickets, having splashed out a whopping $40. We were up early the next day. The 12pm kick-off was a worry, as Ireland had struggled against Mexico in the sun. Would we get to see Jackie Charlton and John Aldridge berating…

Manchester Courier & Lancashire Evening Post Sep 15, 1891 “This was the first league game played at Wolverhampton this season. Bright weather prevailed and the attendance was large. The Wanderers had the best of the play at the start, pressing severely and giving Hay plenty of work. A sharp attack was then carried out on Accrington’s citadel and Wykes kicked through harmlessly. After 10 minutes, a rush with the ball was carried upfield and Allen scored for the ‘Wolves’. Both keepers had to save several times, but nothing further was done. At half-time, Wolverhampton led by one goal to nil. After crossing over, the Wolves restarted with a rush. Devey got an offside goal, and after a foul in a melee they took a penalty, scored by Heath. Devey…