FIFA World Cup will always remain special

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 28: A fan blows a vuvuzela during the match between Mexico and Ecuador at Qwest Field on May 28, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. Mexico and Ecuador played to a 1-1 tie. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Remember the Vuvuzelas? Of course you do, you can probably still hear them buzzing in your ears. Granted, you’d be hard-pressed to find any fans of the ever-present droning, humming horns, after they caused quite a stir in South Africa 2010.

Yet, even with those plastic instruments nearly drowning out the commentators, people still tuned in and attended the matches in large numbers and with greater excitement than ever before.

Something that detracted from the event a little more seriously was the suspected match-fixing involved during Italy’s crunch second round tie against South Korea in 2002.

An over-zealous attitude on the pitch from the hosts, combined with a series of dubious refereeing decisions on the part of Byron Moreno, led many to reveal a sneaking suspicion of manipulation from the powers-that-be to allow Guus Hiddink’s charges safe passage to the last eight.

Clearly, the World Cup and controversy certainly don’t make the strangest of bedfellows, as a big talking point usually pops.

Sometimes, its connotations can be far-reaching, while at times they can be contained, isolated incidents that make those involved blush momentarily before sweeping it under the carpet.

Cheating on the field of play is one such controversy that can have serious repercussions.

We could look at Luis Suarez’s handball to deny Ghana in the last World Cup as an example of this, or indeed Thierry Henry’s handball against the Republic of Ireland in qualification for the same competition, or a number of others – in truth, there are quite a few.

It is this next example, however, stands out the most.

Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” has been hailed by some as a sign of his genius, his constant ability to outdo his opponents, while others see it as a betrayal of the honesty that takes years to permeate through the game.

However, it damaged football’s reputation as a sport that vies to honour honest, hard-working graft whilst also elevating it to levels hitherto unknown – throwing the game into the minds’ of people who normally would never think about football.

In essence, it showcased how the sport could be glamorised on the one hand, yet demonised at the same time. We saw there and then in that moment how the World Cup, for better or worse, will always be special.

And the reason is simple – his goal has become synonymous with the competition, and is just as captivating and engrossing as ever before, despite the fact it happened over 27 years ago.

In truth, the World Cup may be honoured, celebrated, debated, anticipated or even vilified, but its appeal will always shine through once a ball hits the back of the net, and fans’ pulses start to race.

In short, its fleeting nature means its cherished more.

It’s distinctive. It’s outstanding. It’s the World Cup.