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Inspirational Stories: Eight (Not So Famous) World Cup Heroes

2022-11-20 16:03:15Sport SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Inspirational Stories: Eight (Not So Famous) World Cup Heroes
Fabio Grosso

As the 2022 World Cup kicks off, fans around the world will remember sporting legends including Diego Maradona, Pele, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo.

Their impact on previous championships and on football in general is immeasurable.

But while these icons are special, the World Cup has helped produce a number of inspirational stories written by lesser-known players in football history.

These are eight iconic World Cup heroes who are often fondly remembered for what they achieved on the world's biggest international stage.

Fabio Grosso – Italy

Inspirational Stories: Eight (Not So Famous) World Cup Heroes

Italy won in 2006 thanks to left back Fabio Grosso.

Manager Marcello Lippi's decision to start Grosso at the back paid off. Grosso won a last-minute penalty against Australia in the round of 16, which Francesco Totti converted, to send the Italians through to the quarter-finals. He then scored in extra time in the 119th minute against Germany in the semi-finals, his shot going past goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.

Grosso also scored the winning penalty in the final match against France, helping Italy lift their fourth World Cup trophy.

He was admired throughout Italy and in 2006 was awarded the Order of the Italian Republic, the country's highest honor.

Grosso then played for Inter Milan, Lyon and Juventus before ending his career in 2012. He is now 44 and manager of second division club Frosinone.

Tim Krul – Netherlands

Inspirational Stories: Eight (Not So Famous) World Cup Heroes

Goalkeeper Tim Krul sealed a 4-3 win for the Netherlands against Costa Rica during the 2014 quarterfinals.

In the last minute of extra time of this match, Dutch coach Louis van Gaal decided to replace Krul with Jasper Cillessen for the penalties.

Krul saved two penalties and sent the Netherlands to the semi-finals. He remains the only goalkeeper ever to be substituted for a penalty in a World Cup.

Krul, now 34, has enjoyed a successful career in England with Newcastle United and Norwich City.

Paolo Rossi – Italy

Inspirational Stories: Eight (Not So Famous) World Cup Heroes

Paolo Rossi was not the typical striker at the 1982 World Cup.

His earlier allegations of match-fixing caused controversy when he was called up to play for the national team.

But he scored a memorable hat-trick against Brazil in a 3-2 win to reach the semi-finals where he scored both of Italy's goals against Poland.

His heroic status was secured in the final where Italy beat Germany 3:1 and Rossi scored the first goal. He finished the championship as the top scorer and won the Golden Boot.

Rossi scored three goals in the 1978 World Cup. But two years later, he was involved in the Totonero affair while playing for Perugia and was banned for three years. His sentence was reduced to two years and Juventus decided to sign him in 1982, in a move that was heavily criticized as he was deemed not good enough and unfit to play for his country.

Rossi retired from football in 1987 and became a TV pundit and also dabbled in real estate. He passed away in 2020 after a battle with lung cancer.

Oleg Salenko – Russia

Inspirational Stories: Eight (Not So Famous) World Cup Heroes

The most underrated story from the 1994 World Cup is probably that of Russian striker Oleg Salenko.

The former Valencia and Rangers forward played just eight games for Russia, scoring six goals – five in one game against Cameroon as they won 6-1, setting the record for most goals scored in a single World Cup game.

He scored another goal in a 3–1 win over Sweden, finishing as the tournament's top scorer despite playing just three matches.

Salenko is the only player to have won the Golden Boot in a team eliminated from the group stage.

After retiring from football in 2001, Salenko, now 53, went on to coach Ukraine's national beach soccer team in 2003, before retiring from the sport to focus on his career.

Josimar – Brazil

Inspirational Stories: Eight (Not So Famous) World Cup Heroes

Brazilian right back Josimar was discovered by the Seleção when he was selected to play for the Brazilian national team at the 1986 World Cup.

Unknown outside Brazil, he was selected by coach Telê Santana as a reserve. The defender was called up for Brazil's final group game against Northern Ireland after first-choice right-back Édson was injured.

Despite making his international debut, Josimar's strike left Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pat Jennings helpless. His goal in the next match helped Brazil beat Poland 4-0.

Josimar played for Botafogo until 1988 before moving to Sevilla in Spain. The right-back returned to Brazil where he played in the lower leagues until retiring in 1997. Now 61, he is assistant manager at Botafogo.

Diego Forlan – Uruguay

Inspirational Stories: Eight (Not So Famous) World Cup Heroes

Striker Diego Forlan is remembered for his outstanding performance at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The former Atletico Madrid and Manchester United player was ultimately top scorer and was also awarded the Golden Boot.

Forlan helped Uruguay reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1970.

Forlan continued to play until 2018 before retiring from Hong Kong club Kitchee. He is now 43 years old and manages the Uruguayan club Atenas.

Roger Milla – Cameroon

Inspirational Stories: Eight (Not So Famous) World Cup Heroes

Roger Milla is considered one of the pioneers of African football.

The Cameroon striker's four goals at the 1990 World Cup, when he was 38, helped his side reach the quarter-finals, the furthest an African team has reached at the World Cup.

Milla also featured in the 1994 World Cup. At the age of 42, he scored against Russia, becoming the oldest player to ever score in a World Cup.

Milla retired from the game in 1996 and managed Cameroonian club Tonnerre from 2007 to 2011.

The 70-year-old is now an ambassador for various African issues, such as promoting environmental issues on the continent and working with groups such as the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Just Fontaine – France

Inspirational Stories: Eight (Not So Famous) World Cup Heroes

During the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, French striker Just Fontaine scored 13 goals, a record still unbroken in the World Cup.

Known for his ability to play equally well with his left and right foot, Fontaine played just five games over five years for France before being called up to play in the 1958 World Cup.

He scored in all six games France played, and they finished third, beating West Germany in the play-offs, in which Fontaine scored four goals. This striker also scored a hat-trick against Paraguay, two goals against Yugoslavia and Northern Ireland and one each against Brazil and Scotland.

Fontaine's closest record came in 2002 when Ronaldo scored eight goals as Brazil lifted their fifth trophy.

Fontaine's career was cut short by a knee injury, which forced him to retire at the age of 28.

He later managed France, Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco. Fontaine, now 89, founded the National Union of Professional Footballers - France's main professional football union - in 1961 with former footballer Eugene N'Jo Le.

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