Feature'Sick goal', street football and winning the trophy - Reds' World Cup memories
The latest edition of the epic event will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico, getting under way on Thursday (June 11).
Eight current Reds have received call-ups from their nations to participate – and we recently asked several of them to reminisce by presenting them with the official adidas balls used at each World Cup since 1970…
Wataru Endo, Japan
On Korea/Japan 2002 and Qatar 2022
“I remember [2002], I was 10 years old or something like that. I had this ball. This was in Japan, that’s why I remember this one.
“My favourite [memory] is the last one because I played my first game at the World Cup and we beat Germany. That’s my first game. In that moment, I played in Stuttgart in Germany and played against Germany, so that was a great memory for me.”
Cody Gakpo, Netherlands
On South Africa 2010
“It was a special ball – when you hit it, it [moved]. And obviously the Netherlands reached the final in 2010 [versus Spain]. We almost scored the first with [Arjen] Robben.
“I think [it was my first World Cup memory]. The first game, South Africa scored a sick goal, across [the goalkeeper].”
Ryan Gravenberch, Netherlands
On South Africa 2010
“This was the first World Cup I watched when I was young. The Dutch team, Holland, came to the final. Unfortunately, they lost. But I think this was one of the best World Cups.
“Some good players [in the Netherlands side], they reached the final and it was a nice World Cup to watch. Unfortunately, Spain had also a really good team with a lot of good players. But this one was nice.”
Alexander Isak, Sweden
On Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010
“These balls, if you got hold of these ones out on the street or playing with friends, these were like top-tier balls. Top bins every time! I think my brother got me both of these so I really love these balls. I was very young still but it’s nice.”
Alexis Mac Allister, Argentina
On Qatar 2022
“It was of course a very special one. My first one. And we were able to win it, which is not easy at all.
“I was quite confident [ahead of the final]. Of course, we played against a really good team as well, France. But I was really confident because the World Cup didn’t start well with the result against Saudi Arabia, but from there we became a much better team. I think everyone could sense that we had a very good chance.
“So, I was quite confident. And in the end, it was good.”
Florian Wirtz, Germany
On Brazil 2014
“I remember I was at my grandparents’ house and we were watching the Brazil game [semi-final v Germany]. After the 1-0 [to Germany] my uncle said, ‘Until half-time it should be around 5-0’ and then at half-time it was 5-0 actually!
“It was a great tournament for Germany, a great team and in the end deserved winners, beat Argentina in the final – against [Lionel] Messi. It was a crazy World Cup.
“My favourite player was Mesut Ozil. But also, there were so many good players, like Philipp Lahm, [Bastian] Schweinsteiger, [Thomas] Muller, [Miroslav] Klose. So many good players.”