Data map: On March 30, Doha, Qatar, the official ball for the 2022 Qatar World Cup was released.

Image source: Visual China

　　Chinanews client, Beijing, April 2 (Reporter Xing Rui) In the early morning of Beijing time on the 2nd, the grouping of the 2022 Qatar World Cup was released, which also means that the four-yearly football feast is getting closer and closer to fans.

Every World Cup will leave unforgettable moments that are either moving, tragic, or warm.

When we look back on the past, will these pictures that remain in the depths of our memory evoke your nostalgia for the past?

Kempes' flowing hair

　　The Football World Cup was born as early as 1930, but the earliest memory of the World Cup by Chinese fans should begin in 1978.

That year, CCTV broadcast the World Cup third-fourth and the championship and runner-up games.

Chinese fans were able to witness the showdown between "Pampas Eagle" and "Tulip".

　　Argentina beat the Netherlands 3-1 in the World Cup final.

After winning the championship, the confetti flying all over the River Plate Stadium, as well as Kempes' long flowing hair, brought a great visual impact to Chinese fans.

　　Han Qiaosheng, a former CCTV commentator, later recalled: "In the box of that small black and white TV, I saw the players running and Kempes' long hair flowing." He couldn't help but sigh: "The sport of football is so fascinating! "

Data map: The picture shows the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Italian player Paolo Rossi celebrates after scoring the second goal in Italy's game against Brazil.

Rossi's "hat trick"

　　The 1982 World Cup was undoubtedly a feast of superstars. Top stars such as Zico, Rossi and Platini were all at their peak.

　　In the second group match between Italy and Brazil, Rossi scored a "hat-trick" to help Italy out of Brazil with Zico, Socrates and Falcao.

Then he scored three goals in the semi-final and final, becoming the most dazzling star of that World Cup.

　　Rossi's wonderful performance has attracted a large number of fans in China, and more and more Chinese people feel the charm of football.

However, in the just-concluded Qatar World Cup preliminaries, the Italian team lost an upset to North Macedonia and missed the World Cup for two consecutive times, which is regrettable.

Data map: On June 22, 1986, in the Mexico World Cup quarter-final match between Argentina and England, Maradona smashed the ball into the gate of the England team with his hand.

"hand of God"

　　The 1986 World Cup is undoubtedly full of legends. Some people say that the World Cup in Mexico is Maradona's World Cup alone.

　　In the 2-1 victory over England in the semi-finals, both goals came from Maradona, but his first goal became the most controversial goal in football history.

Facing the England goalkeeper, Maradona jumped high and put the ball into the goal with his hand.

Maradona also admitted after the game that the ball was scored with the "hand of God".

　　The second goal of that game became one of the most famous scenes in 20th century football.

Maradona dribbled the ball from midfield, passed the defense of five English players in a row, and finally scored.

　　Now, 36 years have passed since that World Cup.

The "King of the Ball" Maradona also passed away two years ago, but his running on the green field has become an indelible stroke in the history of world football.

Data map: In the "2016 Italian Legendary Superstar China Tour" Zhenjiang Station held in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, the Italian Legendary Superstar Team defeated the Chinese Veteran Star Team 8-7.

Pictured is Robert Baggio in action.

Photo by Yang Bo

Baggio's melancholy back

　　In the 1994 World Cup held in the United States, Brazil won the Hercules Cup for the fourth time in the final penalty shootout.

While the Brazilian players were celebrating, Robert Baggio's melancholy back made countless fans weep.

　　In that World Cup, Baggio was well-deserved as the "thigh" of the Italian team. He also showed his greatness on the field, leading the Italian team to the final all the way.

But in the final penalty shootout, Baggio kicked the ball away, and the Italian team finally missed the championship.

　　After the game, Prince Apennine with a ponytail bowed his head, leaving an eternal back in front of the goal.

Ronaldo.

Ronaldo with sneakers

　　In the summer of 1998, the melody of "go go go, ole ole ole" rang through the streets of China.

You may not have seen this World Cup, but you must have heard the song "Cup of Life".

　　In this competition, the "Gallic Rooster" made a name for itself, and Ronaldo, Zidane, Djokovic, Thuram, Butters and other stars shined on the court.

　　France led by Zidane and Brazil with Ronaldo finally meet in the final.

As the champion of the previous competition, the Brazilian team has high hopes by the fans.

In the final, however, Ronaldo was unstoppable, and Zidane's two headers helped France seal the victory.

In the end, Brazil lost 0:3 regrettably.

　　After the loss, Ronaldo hung his sneakers on his chest depressed, and his lonely figure made countless fans heartbreak and cry.

Data map: During the 2002 World Cup, the match between the Chinese football team and Costa Rica was held at the Gwangju World Cup Stadium in South Korea, and Li Tie organized the attack.

Photo by Mao Jianjun of China News Agency

Chinese team debut

　　The World Cup in Korea and Japan is undoubtedly the most memorable one for Chinese fans.

In 2002, the Chinese team appeared on the World Cup stage for the first time.

　　Yang Chen, Yu Genwei, Li Tie, Fan Zhiyi and other famous players embarked on the World Cup journey with the expectations of fans.

Although the national football team failed to score a single goal in the three group matches, there were also unforgettable moments.

　　In the "Battle between China and Brazil", the Chinese team organized an attack in front of the Brazilian team through smooth coordination. Zhao Junzhe shot a long shot and the ball hit the Brazilian team's goal post.

This scene is imprinted in the memory of countless Chinese fans.

The crying Zheng Dashi

　　Twelve years ago, North Korean striker Jung Da-se became the subject of heated discussion among Chinese fans for tearing down in front of TV cameras.

　　In the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the North Korean team once again entered the World Cup finals after a lapse of 44 years.

Before the match against Brazil in the group stage, when the national anthem of North Korea was played, Zheng Dashi could no longer control his excitement and burst into tears at the World Cup.

　　Of course, in this World Cup, in addition to the crying Zheng Dashi, Paul the "Octopus Emperor" also became the top class at the time.

An octopus in an aquarium has made a name for itself after successfully predicting the outcome of multiple games.

Sadly, Paul the Octopus passed away shortly after the World Cup.

Data map: The sad "Grandpa Jinbei".

Tears of golden cup grandpa

　　Many people may feel unfamiliar with the name Fernandez.

But as long as you see his photos, you will suddenly realize: Oh, it was him.

　　I still remember the semi-finals of the World Cup in Brazil. After the host Brazil team defeated Germany 1:7, the camera showed a gray-bearded Brazilian grandfather in the stands, holding a replica of the Hercules Cup tightly.

Fernandez's tearful and sad expression touched countless Chinese fans and was affectionately called "Grandpa Jinbei" by everyone.

　　Fernandez passed away in 2015.

His two sons took over his father's gold cup and continued to follow his father's beloved Brazil team.

At the last World Cup, the two sons of "Grandpa Gold Cup" came to Russia with their father's unfulfilled wish.

Regrettably, Brazil ended up falling out of the semi-finals.

　　Time flies, the quadrennial World Cup is quietly approaching.

Although there is no Chinese team, what surprises will football bring to Chinese fans as a universal "language" in the world?

We will wait and see.

(over)