Football Fever at Virgin Mobile

The football season is upon us, and we can all feel the heat. In the Virgin Mobile office, we have some ardent football fanatics with us from all around the world, who are so passionate about football. We decided to talk to Oz from Turkey, Ivan from Serbia, Osama from Jordan, Nivethan from Sri Lanka, Ahmed from Sudan and Widad from Tunisia to learn about what football means to them, and how they’re feeling about the season.

What does football mean to you?

Ahmed: Football to me is the passion, it is life. I’ve been watching and playing football since I was 7 years old. My first football tournament was the 1990 world championship held in Italy. Since then, I have become a crazy football fan.

Oz: Football reminds me of my childhood memories. My father used to take me to the stadium to watch the games and I grew up as a big fan of Galatasaray which is the best team in Turkey.

Osama: Football is my favourite sport, I always play and watch European leagues but of course, the season has a different taste, can’t wait until it starts!

Nivethan: Football is so close to my heart. Football has a massive fandom across the globe. Being a part of this global fandom gives me the feeling of being part of something larger than myself and I get to be connected to loads of people around the world through something we all love. It’s a massive feeling.

Widad: Football means a lot to me because it is ingrained in the Tunisian culture. Growing up, me and my family always supported football. I’m a huge fan of the football leagues in Tunisia. I love Tunisia and I love the Tunisian national football team. I’m super proud of them.

What’s your favourite moment in World Championship history and why?

Nivethan: There was a 2014 world championship match between Argentina and Netherlands which was a gem of a watch, but the match ended with a 0-0. However, Argentina converted all four of its penalty kicks in a shootout against the Netherlands and earned their ticket to the finals of that tournament. This was my favourite moment.

Osama: I support Germany, so my favourite moment was when they became world champions in 2014 by defeating Brazil 7-1.

Ivan: In the 1990 world championship my national team (Serbia) won against Spain and qualified for the quarter-finals where we lost on a penalty against Argentina.

Ahmed: As I support France usually in world championships “because of Zidane”, my favourite moment in a world championship was the 1998 final game when France won against Brazil 3-0. Also, in the world championship 2006 quarter-final game between France and Brazil again, France won 1-0 and it was like Brazil against Zidane only, he practically controlled the midfield and he played with every Brazilian player.

Widad: I don’t have a specific favourite moment; I would say that my favourite moment is watching Tunisia play.

Who’s your favourite player?

Ahmed: My favourite football player ever is Zinedine Zidane, the French legend. For me, he is the best human who has ever touched a football. His performance, how he controls not only the ball, the game rhythm, and how he was able to control even the other 21 players on the field is just mesmerising. He is a magician!

Nivethan: Lionel Messi, we call him the G.O.A.T. There are many reasons why he is my favourite player. He is an undisputed dribbling genius. He has excellent team coordination skills. Messi is a naturally talented footballer. He scores high-quality goals.

Oz: My favourite player is Gheorghe Hagi. He is the Maradona of the Carpathians. With his talent and effect on the team, his position is immortal as perhaps the best player to have ever worn the Galatasaray shirt. He helped the team win four consecutive league titles and, most improbably, the UEFA Cup in 2000.

Ivan: Sinisa Mihajlovic - He played in my favourite local team when they won the European Cup in 1991.

Widad: I would say my favourite player now is Neymar.

Who’s going to win the world title this time?

Ahmed: I always support France, but this time, I expect Argentina to win, and it might be a dramatic win.

Nivethan: I vouch for Argentina, but I think the Brazil team has a better chance.

Oz: Argentina. They are unbeaten in the last 35 games and Messi will gift a world title to the Argentinian people before he retires.

Ivan: Argentina.

Widad: Brazil! Yes!