The Football Faithful’s Advent Calendar: December 16th

There are now only nine days to go until good ol’ St. Nick comes down our chimneys.

Here’s another segment of our Football-themed Advent Calendar. Enjoy!

The Football Faithful’s Advent Calendar: December 16th

Number: 16

Back in 1996, West Ham secured the services of Portuguese talent Paulo Futre – a massive coup for the Hammers.

Harry Redknapp’s side travelled to Arsenal for the first game of the season as they looked to get off to a strong start to the campaign.

However, kitman Eddie Gilham informed Redknapp of an issue.

Futre had seen the teamsheet and spotted that he had been given the number 16.

The former Atletico Madrid forward was incensed by this decision and burst into the manager’s office.

“Futre, number 16,” the winger complained, communicating in broken English but delivering the message with purpose nonetheless.

“Futre number 10. Pele, Maradona, Eusebio [were] 10. Not f*****g 16.”

Redknapp offered his profuse apologies but Futre wasn’t satisfied. He threw the West Ham shirt onto the ground in Highbury’s changing room, before treading on it and kicking it against the wall. Futre was furious.

Redknapp offered him an ultimatum. Put the shirt back on or leave. So he left.

Futre refused to play until he was given the number, which he eventually was. He made nine appearances in East London before departing a year later.

Goal on this Day: Panagiotis Kone’s Scintillating Scissor Kick

Today marks the 12 anniversary since a Puskas-nominated strike was netted – and this contender came from Panagiotis Kone.

The Greek midfielder was playing for Bologna against Napoli in the Diego Armando Maradona stadium when he scored an incredible strike.

With his side 2-1 behind in the 85th minute, Kone produced an inspired moment of genius to restore parity.

A cross came in from the right-hand side and the midfielder adjusted his body adeptly to connect with the ball with a scissor kick.

Such was the purity of the connection that the strike beat goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis from just inside the box as it flew into the roof of the net.

Bologna went on to win the match 3-2 with Daniele Portnova scoring the winner having been motivated by Kone’s stunner.

Sebastian Haller also scored a powerfully struck acrobatic effort on this day. The Frenchman fired in the unstoppable shot for West Ham against Crystal Palace.

Footballer Born on this Day: Mats Hummels

We send our warmest birthday wishes to German stalwart Mats Hummels who is 36 today.

During his illustrious career, Hummels has had two spells each with German football’s biggest two clubs; Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

It takes a certain sort of personality to still be revered by both sets of fanbases after playing for the rival but Hummels is well respected.

He made over 500 appearances for the Yellow and Black and was a leader in the teams that reached the Champions League final in 2013 and 2024.

After coming through the youth ranks at Bayern, Hummels rejoined in 2016 and won the Bundesliga title in each of his three seasons with the club.

One of his 78 caps for Germany was in the World Cup final in 2014 when Die Mannschaft beat Argentina 1-0 in Brazil.

The German currently plays in Italy for Roma.

Stat: The Formation of AC Milan

Milan are one of the most successful football institutions in the history of the sport.

They have lifted the Champions League on seven occasions and won Serie A 19 times.

On this day in 1899, they were founded. The primary force behind their establishment was two Englishmen.

Herbert Kilpin and Alfred Edwards formed the Milan Cricket and Football club with Kilpin being the first ever captain.

Of course, they are no longer renowned for playing cricket, but AC Milan still pay tribute to their English founders.

They haven’t forgotten their roots as they use the English spelling of Milan rather than the Italian version of Milan.

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

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