World Cup Cult Heroes: Preben Elkjaer

Illustration by Mathew Kurian / The National

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.

PREBEN ELKJAER

It was once said the great Dane debunked three common beliefs during his 14-year career. Firstly, a footballer does not need to treat his body like a temple to be the best player on the field. Secondly, he does not require a low centre of gravity to dribble proficiently and, thirdly, he does not need to wear football boots to score goals.

Goal Machine

Few forwards have been blessed with such an array of talent as Denmark’s leading scorer at the 1986 World Cup. Elkjaer had it all: strength, balance, fast feet, a thunderous shot, instinctive positioning and a determination to score at all costs. He netted his country’s only goal in an opening win over Scotland and then a hat-trick in a 6-1 evisceration of Uruguay. He was awarded the Bronze Ball as the third best player of the tournament – despite Denmark exiting in the second round.

Danish Dynamite

Elkjaer played football tenaciously, but also in a way people dream of playing: full of thrilling turns, cheeky lobs and stunning goals. He appeared to be built of bricks and fitted with a pair of oversized lungs, despite being known to sneak to the toilets at half-time for a cigarette. His appetite for late-night partying also caused frictions with many a manager.

Sock Success

In 1984, Elkjaer left Belgium to join Italian side Hellas Verona and led them to their only Serie A title. Against reigning champions Juventus, he scored an incredible solo goal that came to epitomise his refusal to surrender a lost cause. Having picked the ball up on the left wing, he drove forward, rode a tackle, lost his right boot, cut inside a defender and fired a shot with his bootless foot past the goalkeeper.

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