So the World Cup is in full swing, the horns are blowing, the anthems are being sung and we’ve already had our first England goalkeeping blunder. We have all admired the stars and have pencilled in the games in which they will be featuring. But who in South Africa gets people’s goats, who are the ones that were put on this earth and in this tournament to be a constant irritant for the next 4 weeks. Sport.co.uk takes a look at the Top Ten people in the World Cup we love to hate.
Diego Maradona
The World Cup + Maradona equals painful memories for many and in true British fashion, the younger generation, not even alive to see the Hand of God have carried on hating the little man. Not so little anymore, Maradona still has the ability to annoy, irritate and sometimes simply baffle. Blessed with probably best forward line in the tournament and one of the best teams, there’s a chance that El Rey might just go on and win it. Imagine him waddling up the steps and kissing the trophy al a 86 and becoming only the 3rd person in history to win it as both player and manager. It’s not over until the fat lady sings or in this case- man shouts from the touchline- but unlike 86, let’s hope we have God on our side this time.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The former Man Utd star is still wowing people with his talent and is Portugal’s only real hope of achieving anything in this competition. But like the aforementioned Maradona, we don’t forget in this country; don’t forget that wink in the last World Cup or the fact he made your blood boil every time your team came up against him. Perhaps worst of all the fact he has left this country, but is strewn across the sides of busses in nothing more than an Armani thong proving he still has the ability to turn stomachs. The rest of his Portugal teammates simply aren’t up to the task and if this meant no World Cup trophy for the Madrid man- I’m sure there would not be too many disheartened football fans.
Didier Drogba
Allegedly injured his arm practicing his dives in training, the Ivory Coast forward did make an appearance as a substitute in his team’s opener against Portugal, but failed to impress. The 6ft plus Chelsea man has become one of the most feared strikers in the world, but unfortunately for him he’s still not the most popular, unless of course you reside in West London. Great player, undoubted ability, but still not the first person you’d put on your Christmas card list.
Sven Goran Eriksson
In his third consecutive World Cup as a manager, it’s already looking as though it will follow the same pattern as the other two. He managed to turn an exciting fixture on paper (Portugal v Ivory Coast) into an advert for Sunday league football (sport.co.uk would like to apologise for any Sunday league footballers who may be offended by this comparison)
The Swede is reportedly being paid £2 million for this tournament alone and there’s more chance of his team winning than him staying, especially in light of his recent revelations that he is a Liverpool fan, coincidentally at the same time the manager’s job becomes available. The only things that ever change with Eriksson are his bank balance and his loyalties - depending of course on what is on offer on and off the field.
The Germans
It seems every year we hear that their team is not good enough and they will once again fail and fall short. Yet, in Japan & South Korea in 2002 they reached the final. On home soil 4 years later it was the semis. This year their captain (Michael Ballack) was ruled out only a matter of weeks before the start of the tournament.
So roll on the first game and what happens; they wipe the floor with Australia, and the smiles off the faces of their old enemies. To make matters worse the Kaiser himself has come out and criticised the English style of play after their 1-1 draw with USA saying: "It looked to me as if the English have gone backwards into the bad old days of kick and rush."
Their efficient, methodical and effective approach has been a thorn in the side of England for so long and we all live in hope that this can be the year we Das Boot them out of the World Cup.
Ashley Cole
It seems that Cashley is in every one of this type of list. Hated by football fans because of revelations in his autobiography. Disowned by the female community after his off field antics and subsequent divorce from the nation’s sweetheart Cheryl Cole. Let’s not forget though he was brilliant against Ronaldo in the last World Cup and is still one of the best left backs in the world. This, coupled with the fickle nature of football fans, dictates that were he to score a winning goal or make a goal saving tackle many would probably forgive, but until then he has well and truly earned his place in the list
Roque Santa Cruz
The Man City striker is the pretty boy of Paraguayan football and judging by his performance over the last year, that’s just about all he is. Since the big money move to City the desire and will seem to have deserted the centre forward and with it the likeability factor he earned at Blackburn. He needs to realise that it’s every little boy’s dream to be a footballer and even more so be in the World Cup, a competition he would be nowhere near if he played for a more gifted nation. Time for him to wake up and at least look like he gives a dam and, pardon the pun, get out of cruise control.
Sidney Govou
Started ahead of Thierry Henry in France’s opener and missed a glorious chance that would have earned his side a victory. His inclusion signalled the end of Karim Benzema’s World Cup dream and deprived the tournament of a genuine talent, despite the young forward’s uneventful first season in Spain. He is clearly not up to scratch and one can only assume the reason he is there is that Domenech is applying France 98 Guivarc’h theory. Play a donkey up front and let all the other players around them excel- although that team was blessed with a certain Zinedine Zidane. Even though Govou was part of the squad that made it to the final last time and regardless of the fact he’s won countless French league titles, you still get the feeling in a few years time people will be asking the question- Sidney Gov-who?
Emile Heskey
They always say when you have something negative to say to someone, start with a positive, that way the bad news will be easier to take, so here goes. Heskey did look lively against the USA and although 1.5 million ITV HD viewers may not recall this, he played a key role in Gerrard’s goal. But a striker is not in the team to create chances for others, he’s there to score and it was all set up; lovely through ball by Lennon, the big man one on one and then... straight at Howard. This lack of killer instinct must only come into effect on match days as don’t forget it was Heskey who ended Rio’s World Cup dream with his over-exuberance in training. There’s just no other way to say it, he’s not good enough and should be nowhere near the squad. Darren Bent deserved a shot after his 24 Premier League goals this season and Crouchy’s England record is superb. Sorry Emile, but next time, try injuring yourself.
Samuel Eto’o
The Cameroon captain headed to South Africa on the back of an excellent treble winning season with Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan. But more often than not his attitude and arrogance is called in question and his performance in the first game showed just that (granted being stuck out on right wing didn’t do much to help the situation). The controversial striker did try and heal any rifts he may have caused with fellow players by spending £900,000 on watches for his teams mate and unfortunately for them, as Mark Lawrenson so brilliantly put it after been told this during a live commentary: “Well he does make the team tick.”
Honorary Mentions
Paul Le Guen - Has one decent player and he plays him out of position.
Howard Webb - A second rate Collina with a more annoying run.
Adrian Chiles - Replaced Bleakley with Southgate.
Vuvuzeluas - Enough said.