The Football Faithful’s Advent Calendar: December 18th

It is now only a week until Christmas Day, which means just a few days remain of our football-themed Advent Calendar.

Why don’t you take a break from your last-minute Xmas shopping?

Sit back and discover or relive some classic moments, statistics and facts from over the years.

The Football Faithful’s Advent Calendar: December 18th

Number: 18

Ivan Zamorano was Inter Milan’s number nine for the 1997/98 campaign and formed a harmonious relationship with Brazilian icon Ronaldo Nazario.

When Roberto Baggio moved to Inter in 1998, the divine ponytailed Italian demanded Ronaldo’s number 10.

After O Fenômeno suffered his notorious knee injury, Zamorano agreed that his number nine should be gifted to Ronaldo to cheer him up after a torrid spell.

However, the Chilean found a loophole so both he and Ronaldo could simultaneously have the number nine.

Zamarano chose the number 18, but added a very subtle addition sign in the middle so up close it read ‘1+8’.

The striker has revealed in an interview that it was the club president, Massimo Morrati, who came up with the genius solution.

Zamorano had no hard feelings about handing his number to one of the greatest to do it.

A great homage from Bam Bam to one of the greats.

90s Hitmen: Ivan ‘Bam Bam’ Zamorano

Casemiro signed for Manchester United back in 2022 for £60 million.

The now 32-year-old arrived in Manchester with a stacked trophy cabinet that includes four Champions League winner’s medals and three La Liga titles.

The Brazilian chose the number 18, due to admiration for United legend Paul Scholes, who wore the number at Old Trafford.

The perfect gift for a football fan? Noughties Nines out now

Game on this Day: World Cup Final 2022

Today marks two years since the Qatar World Cup concluded at the Lusail Stadium.

Argentina met France at the pinnacle of the tournament with Les Blues looking to be only the third team to lift consecutive World Cup trophies.

However, it was the South Americans that raced into a two-goal lead by the interval. An Angel Di Maria strike and a Lionel Messi penalty gave Lionel Scaloni’s team a sizeable advantage.

Holders France showed character and grit and managed to restore parity late in the second period courtesy of a two-minute blitz.

Kylian Mbappe dispatched a penalty of his own before he volleyed past Emiliano Martinez to haul his nation back into the contest.

Argentina regained the upper hand in extra-time when Messi recorded his brace with a close-range finish.

But France were determined to defend their crown. Mbappe sealed his hat-trick with another penalty in the 118th minute to draw the teams level once again.

After Randal Kolo Muani spurned a gilt-edged opportunity in the dying embers, the final was decided by a penalty shootout.

Aurelien Tchouameni and Kingsley Coman missed their spot-kicks and Gonzalo Montiel netted the decisive kick to crown Argentina champions of the world.

Messi, Qatar, and the fulfilment of a football fairytale

Goal on this Day: CR7’s Header that Defied Physics

Cristiano Ronaldo sure can jump.

His phenomenal leaping power was displayed back in 2019 when he defied the laws of physics to score for Juventus against Sampdoria.

The master marksman reached a height of 256 cm.

To give you an idea of how tall that is, the world’s tallest ever man stood at 251 cm and Ronaldo would have beat him to the ball.

The former Real Madrid talisman hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity to nod home.

As always with Ronaldo, his goal sparked chaos on social media. Us mere mortals were attempting to recreate his header at home with the help of trampolines and pogo sticks. Perhaps, in an alternate world, Ronaldo’s traits may have seen him thrive in the NBA.

Footballer Born on this Day: Santiago Cañizares

The 18th December isn’t a day when many professional footballers were born.

Aris Limassol centre-half Connor Goldson is 32 today and Feyenoord winger Calvin Stengs turns 26.

Santiago Cañizares is arguably the most notable birthday boy of the lot. The Spaniard is celebrating his 55th birthday today.

After retiring from football, the former Valencia goalkeeper ventured into rally driving.

Stat: The Inaugural Ballon d’Or Ceremony

On this day in 1957, the first ever Ballon d’Or ceremony was held in Paris, France.

For decades, the award was also referred to as the European Footballer of the Year Award due to the criteria stating it had to be a European player representing a European club.

Stanley Matthews was the first ever recipient of the title and still remains the oldest footballer to win it!

The ‘Wizard of the Dribble’ was 41 years old when he was crowned the continent’s greatest player while at Blackpool.

Alfredo Di Stefano was the runner-up with Raymond Kopa, Ferenc Puskas and Lev Yashin making up the top five.

Rodri is the most recent winner of the individual accolade and Lionel Messi has won the most with eight.

Bonus Stat: A Unique Own Goal

Did you know that two players once ‘shared’ an own goal?

Seventy years ago to the day, Leicester City defenders Jack Froggatt and Stan Milburn simultaneously made contact with the ball.

Unfortunately for them, that shared contact diverted the ball into their own net away to Chelsea.

The Blues went on to win 3-1 at Stamford Bridge ad Froggatt and Milburn came away with the unwanted credititaion.

It never happened before and it hasn’t happened since in the Football League.

Read – Every winner from The Best FIFA Awards 2024 as Garnacho claims Puskas Award

See more – The Football Faithful’s Advent Calendar: December 17th

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