Here are the top five quirky facts as we head into another week of awesome football. There is no
better place to get your season-long ticket to the best football the world has to offer than DStv.
Real Valladolid pay homage to Jose Zorilla
Real Valladolid’s home ground, the Jose Zorrilla Municipal Stadium, is named in honour of
renowned poet and playwright Jose Zorrilla (1817 – 1893), who was born in Valladolid.
RCD Espanyol’s nickname
RCD Espanyol have the nickname ‘Los Periquitos’ (The Parakeets) because of the many parakeets
that lived around their former stadium, Estadio de Sarria. Espanyol played at that venue from 1923
to 1997, and their nickname has remained even after moving stadiums.
Alexander Isak’s heroics at a tender age
Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is the youngest ever goal scorer for both former club AIK
and the Swedish senior national team. He was 16 years of age for the former, and 17 for the latter.
Terry Paine sets record as The Saints all-time appearance maker
Southampton’s all-time record appearance maker is Terry Paine, who played in 815 matches for the
club from 1956 to 1974. Paine, who worked for SuperSport as an expert analyst for many years,
was also part of England’s World Cup winning squad in 1966.
Lazio’s Boulaye Dia feted in Senegal
Lazio star Boulaye Dia was given the honour of Grand Officer of the National Order of the Lion, the highest order awarded in Senegal, for being part of the squad that won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Matt Busby featured for both Manchester teams
Matt Busby played for Manchester City and Liverpool. The legendary Manchester United manager racked up over 300 appearances as a player for United’s two biggest rivals before leading the Red Devils to their very first European Cup victory.
Los Colchoneros nurturing players to managers
Fernando Torres was captain of the Atletico Madrid side that Diego Simeone played in. Torres was a young captain at Atletico Madrid, as El Cholo was winding down his career at the club. Diego Simeone later managed Torres at Atletico.
Gianfranco Zola’s birthday woes
Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola is the only player to be sent off in a World Cup finals… on his birthday. The match occurred at the 1994 tournament. Well, on the bright side at least the referee got him a card.
San Siro’s 2003 heroics a nightmare for Inter
In 2003, Inter Milan were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League on away goals, which was weird… since they were playing AC Milan at the San Siro, which they share as a home stadium. Thank goodness UEFA have dispatched off that rule.
Gareth Bale’s Spursy season
Gareth Bale’s first trophyless season after leaving Tottenham was the season he went back to Tottenham on loan. Yikes!
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