'Gorgeous' Georgios Samaras, the Celtic striker whose penalty propelled Greece into the knockout stages, has issued heartfelt thanks to his No1 fan, Jay Beatty.
The Greek FA were so moved by a viral video of 11-year-old Jay’s celebrations of Samaras’s goal against Ivory Coast that they offered to fly the Northern Irish boy to Brazil for their Round of 16 match against Costa Rica.
Eager-eyed fans will remember Samaras’s touching first meeting with Jay, who has downs syndrome, during the Scottish club’s end-of-season lap of honour.
And last week Samaras was taken aback by Jay’s celebration of his goal, promised to give Jay his shirt from the match, and said to camera: “Jay I want to thank you for the strength you have given me. I am very, very proud to say you are my friend.”
The video led to a Greece supporter’s Facebook page calling for Jay to be flown out to the Costa Rica game and, after it attracted over 80,000 likes, the Greek FA offered to pay for the trip. But Jay’s family were forced to turn them down as they already had a holiday to the United States booked.
Jay's father, Martin, said: “This morning we got a call with a fantastic offer for us all to go to the World Cup to see the Greece game and Jay’s hero, Samaras. Unfortunately, we were actually at the airport heading off on our family holiday when we got the call. So naturally we were unable to take up the offer and are so gutted, but truly grateful that people would do this for Jay.”
Martin did however post a video message on Facebook from Jay to his hero, saying: “Sammy, I’m sorry I won’t be there but I still love you very much and hope you win. Come on Sammy!”
Mexico's captain marvel
Two years ago Rafael Marquez ended a tumultuous two-year tenure at New York Red Bulls with a final-whistle brawl, a red card, and a series of American fans greeting his departure with celebratory gifs. Many called him the worst Designated Player in the MLS's history
The Mexican claimed his poor performances were more as a result of team-mates “not being on his level”. That Thierry Henry was one of his team-mates hardly gave credit to his argument, while his international career was of little consolation. He had not been selected by Mexico for 15 months.
Rafael Marquez celebrates his goal against Croatia
He headed for Mexican side Leon, but despite an upturn in form, the call back to the national team did not come until late last year, when World Cup qualification hung by a thread.
And now, in Brazil, Marquez is a man reborn, bossing a vibrant Los Aztecas in Brazil.
This, after all, is the only player to have captained his country at four World Cups, and after scoring against Croatia, he has netted in three too.
Team-mate Andres Guardado said: "When you see a guy who's won everything he has, who's 35 and is in this kind of form at his fourth World Cup, we don't need him to say too much - just watching him on the pitch is enough.”
Tonight Marquez will win his 124th cap as Mexico take on Holland for a place in the quarter-finals.
Asked about his revival, Marquez shrugged: “Well, I’m here. Nobody gave me this, like a gift. I worked a lot to be here.”
“Always I want more and more and more. I’ve tried to do my best. I tried to do my best for the team. That’s everything.”
What price one last World Cup?
