Illustration by Mathew Kurian / The National
Illustration by Mathew Kurian / The National

World Cup Cult Heroes: Josimar



In the run-up to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, The National’s Gary Meenaghan looks back at the figures of World Cups past who, while not necessarily the greatest the game has ever seen, were among football’s most interesting characters.

JOSIMAR

The uncapped Brazilian right-back was not supposed to be at the World Cup in 1986, let alone play and score two of the tournament’s finest goals. Yet, he did just that and was later named in Fifa’s All-Star team.

Botafogo B-Lister

The unknown right-back was a late call-up to Brazil’s 1986 squad after Leandro refused to travel. Josimar, plying his trade with mid-table side Botafogo, understood he was travelling solely to make up numbers and act as an understudy to Edson. Even when the Corinthians defender twisted his knee during Brazil’s second match, the coach opted to play a midfielder at right-back rather than Josimar.

Unlikely Hero

With Brazil having already qualified for the second round, Josimar was handed his debut against Northern Ireland. In the 42nd minute, he released a missile into the top corner from 25 yards. In Brazil’s next match he scored again, this time dribbling past three defenders before hitting a fierce drive across the goalkeeper. His jubilant celebrations – arms aloft, star-jump, sky-punch – epitomised his joy.

That is What He Said

After securing a move to Sevilla off the back of his World Cup performance, he failed to nail down a place and returned to Brazil the following year. He never scored another goal and retired, depressed, in 1997. "The blondes came and the training went," he later told FourFourTwo. "I was supposed to be at the peak of my career, but I wasted all the money, lost all credibility and, worst of all, I lost contact with my kids."

Cult Status

For two weeks, in June 1986, Josimar’s name rang out around schoolyards, but his star soon fell. Yet in Norway, of all places, he is remembered; his name is on a monthly football magazine. “Increasingly, we see a grumpy face when Neymar scores a goal,” said Marius Lien, founder of the magazine. “Instead, we like to close our eyes and think about the celebration of Josimar in 1986.”

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Power: 154bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

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The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
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Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher:  Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5

Five famous companies founded by teens

There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:

  1. Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate. 
  2. Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc. 
  3. Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway. 
  4. Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
  5. Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

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The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5

Nick's journey in numbers

Countries so far: 85

Flights: 149

Steps: 3.78 million

Calories: 220,000

Floors climbed: 2,000

Donations: GPB37,300

Prostate checks: 5

Blisters: 15

Bumps on the head: 2

Dog bites: 1

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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THE BIO

Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain

Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude

Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE

Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally

Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science

'Midnights'
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