{"title":"International prints","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"john-barnes-maracana-poster","title":"John Barnes - Maracana Magic","description":"\u003cp\u003eJohn Charles Bryan Barnes MBE, was born 7 November 1963 in Kingston, Jamaica, and is widely regarded as one of the best wingers in the history of English domestic league football.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe English national side had missed out on a place at Euro 84, and as a result embarked on small tour of South America. The highlight of the trip was most definitely a 2-0 victory in Rio's Maracanã Stadium, where John Barnes' crafted an unforgettable 'Brazilian style' goal. Brazil, without some of their big names such as Zico and Socrates, were still a formidable side and undefeated in the Maracanã since the 1960s.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEngland claimed their historic victory with eight seconds of individual magic by Barnes. He received the ball on the halfway line and went on a mesmeric run, gliding past what seemed to be the whole Brazilian team, and calmly guiding a right-footed shot into the net from ten yards. Barnes has always maintained that scoring the goal had been like an out of body experience, almost as though he had been in a trance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere is an underground spiritual religion (vodoo) in Brazil known as ‘Macumba’ which is secretly practiced in Rio. One of the purposes of Macumba is to possess a person through sorcery and ritual dance. Perhaps Barnes had been possessed by a 'Macumba- like' trance during his '8 seconds of Maracanã magic'?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA truly gifted player, his goal should have been the jewel in the crown of a glittering international career. Unfortunately for Barnes, from that moment on, whenever he pulled on an England shirt, the 8 seconds of magic seemed more of a curse than a source of inspiration. In a domestic career that resulted in legendary status with Liverpool, Barnes was never quite able to recreate the magical moment of the Maracanã in a total 79 appearances for his country.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'I don't remember much about my goal. I always liken it to an out-of-body experience. I look at it on TV now and I can't remember doing any of it. None of it was planned, it was just instinct and reaction, and I didn't know exactly what I was doing.'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Barnes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/R0jdsPZmOWM?wmode=transparent\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":71694262,"sku":"GS-P-JB-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851618089,"sku":"GS-P-JB-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851618349,"sku":"GS-P-JB-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/goalsoul_posters_big_barnes.png?v=1295362092"},{"product_id":"eric-cantona-poster","title":"Eric Cantona - Every Inch a King","description":"\u003cp\u003eEric Daniel Pierre Cantona (born 24 May 1966) is a French actor and former footballer who began his professional football career with Auxerre in 1983.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt has been commented that, at nine, Cantona was already playing like a fifteen-year-old. Though he possessed unquestionable creative ability he was also a volatile character and soon became involved in a catalogue of disciplinary problems. Trouble followed him from Auxerre, Marseille Bordeaux, Montpellier and all the way to the French national team. In December 1991, during a match for Nimes he threw the ball at the referee, and received a one month suspension. Cantona responded by calling the members of the disciplinary committee 'idiots' - his ban was increased to three months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAngered by the decision, Eric Cantona announced his retirement from football in December 1991. The French national team coach Michel Platini was a keen fan of Cantona, and persuaded him to make a comeback because he admired his talent. On the advice of Gérard Houllier as well as his psychoanalyst, he moved to England to restart his career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCantona joined Leeds United in 1992 after rejections from Graeme Souness at Liverpool and Trevor Francis at Sheffield Wednesday. In November of that year Alex Ferguson made the signing that would spark the revival of Manchester United fortunes and that of Cantona as together they began to win championship after championship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was with Manchester United that he made his most supreme error of judgement – the legendary 'Kung Fu' kick. In a 1995 game against Crystal Palace, Eric was sent off. As he headed back to the changing rooms, he leaped with both feet into the opposition crowed where he kicked and punched a fan who was shouting racial slurs at him. He was dealt a heavy fine and sentenced to serve 120 hours of community service plus a 9-month ban from the game. Eventually Eric rejoined his Old Trafford team mates a reformed character, He went on to lead his side as captain to many more famous victories and championships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis retirement in the 1996-1997 surprised many people as it was the widely thought that he could have played on for many more years. In 2001 he was voted Man United’s player of the century, and to this day United fans refer to him as 'King Eric'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThough Eric never declared himself to be 'King' (Le Roi), one day he may tackle the most famous King of all. As he continues to develop his craft as an actor, he may ultimately play the role of King Lear, the most challenging for any theatre actor. This tragedy by William Shakespeare, is considered to be one of his greatest works, Lear madly declares himself 'Every Inch a King' as he wears a crown of weeds. Symbolic of both his loss of sanity as he comes to realise the suffering he has not only caused to himself but to his entire kingdom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'In football you have an adversary; in cinema that adversary is yourself.'\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cb\u003eCantona on cinema\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Do you think the greatest French player of all time is Zinedine Zidane or Michel Platini?' 'No, it is me.'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eEric Cantona when asked about the French greats\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Every inch a king.'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWilliam Shakespeare, King Lear, 4.6.109\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ueSoqoAFGRA?wmode=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":71694302,"sku":"GS-P-EC-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851586937,"sku":"GS-P-EC-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851587401,"sku":"GS-P-EC-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/goalsoul_posters_big_cantona.png?v=1295362135"},{"product_id":"paul-gascoigne-poster","title":"Paul Gascoigne - Inkblot #19","description":"\u003cp\u003ePaul\nJohn Gascoigne (born 27 May 1967, Dunston, Gateshead, England),\ncommonly referred to as Gazza, joined Newcastle United as an\napprentice in 1983. His talent as a youngster was recognised by\nmanager Jack Charlton who handed him his full first team debut in\n1985. He spent three more years at St James' Park where he won the\nPFA Young Player of the Year Award in 1988.That same year, Tottenham\nfought off Manchester United's advances to sign the midfielder for a\nBritish-record of £2.3 million. His skilful performances earned him\na place in Bobby Robson's England squad for the 1990 World Cup where\nhe was to wear the #19 shirt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn\n4th July 1990, England played West Germany in the World Cup\nsemi-final in Turin. Gascoigne was booked, and having picked up a\nyellow card in an earlier game it meant he would be suspended for the\nWorld Cup Final if England progressed. Television showed that he had\ntears in his eyes following the referee’s decision. After full time\nthe game was decided on penalties but Paul didn't feel that he was in\na fit state to take his. The Germans eventually won the shoot-out and\nEngland failed to reach the final. His tearful reaction bewitched the\nwatching millions, invigorated the national game and sparked what\nbecame known as Gazzamania. His inspirational performances earned him\na place in the All-Star team of the tournament. He was awarded\nfurther praise and a coveted accolade that same year when he was\nnamed BBC Sports Personality of the Year 1990.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGascoigne's\ndomestic career went on to include spells at, Lazio, Glasgow Rangers,\nMiddlesbrough, Everton and Gansu Tianma in China. Always in the media\nspotlight, his 'off-the-field' antics were self-destructive,\nrecurrent and damaging. He was to pay a heavy price, as he found\nhimself omitted from Glenn Hoddle's England squad for the 1998 World\nCup. In his autobiography, he disclosed details of having undergone\ntherapy for bulimia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder,\nand alcoholism. An issue central to Gazza's decline as an athlete,\nand increasing mental health problems, was his inability to occupy\nhimself when not able to play football. \n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInkblot\n#19 suggests an idea of an underlying butterfly effect that stems\nfrom his infamous booking in Turin? Was this the first  'flap of a\nbutterfly’s wings' that was responsible for both a physical and\nmental tornado in the life of one of the most naturally gifted\nmidfielders of his generation? \n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eInkblot\nTest:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003e'A\npsychological test in which subjects' perceptions of inkblots are\nrecorded and then analyzed using psychological interpretation.'\n\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHermann\nRorschach\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e'I\njust turned to Bobby Robson and said keep an eye on him, have a word\nwith him, he’s basically lost the plot.'\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eGary\nLineker\u003c\/b\u003e \n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e'He\nlooked mental, torn up, cut to the heart and the knife twisted hard.'\n\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePete Davies –\nOne Night in Turin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eButterfly\nEffect: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e'Predictability:\nDoes the Flap of a Butterfly's Wings in Brazil set off a Tornado in\nTexas?' \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eEdward\nLorenz\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'I never predict anything, and I never will.' \u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePaul\nGascoigne\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hH_Yt0K3tZA?wmode=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":71694372,"sku":"GS-P-PG-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851658001,"sku":"GS-P-PG-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851658481,"sku":"GS-P-PG-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/goalsoul_posters_big_gascoignes.png?v=1295362323"},{"product_id":"rene-higuita-poster","title":"Rene Higuita - El Loco in Locombia","description":"\u003cp\u003eJose René Higuita Zapata is a former Colombian football goalkeeper nicknamed 'El Loco' – 'The Mad One'. Born 27 August 1966 in Barrio Castilla, Medellín, he pioneered the Scorpion kick and was notorious for his over-confident outfield play which included dribbling the ball out of defence and acting as sweeper. This same over-confidence led to some incredibly bad decisions in his private life.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDuring the 1990's, Colombia became known as 'Locombia', the crazy country. Drug cartels were running amok, politicians, judges and journalists were routinely assassinated. René Higuita always looked like a Colombian drug lord, so perhaps it's not surprising that he got involved with some, acting as a go-between for Pablo Escobar (who he’d visited in jail in 1991) and Carlos Molina. Higuita’s alleged act of good faith enabled the release of Molina's daughter by delivering ransom money to Escobar and receiving a $64,000 fee.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is illegal in Colombia to profit from a kidnapping and Higuita served seven months in the infamous jail Cárcel Modelo de Bogotá, Colombia in 1993.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis resulted in the USA refusing Higuita a visa for the 1994 World Cup, but he defended his actions. 'I acted for humanitarian reasons. If I’m needed to secure somebody else’s freedom I wouldn’t doubt a second. I’m a footballer – I don’t know anything about kidnapping laws', going on to protest his imprisonment with an aborted hunger strike.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Colombia team that went to USA 94 had great qualities - but did not have its goalkeeper. Higuita was in jail – a harsh decision the authorities now admit. Shortly before the 1990 World Cup, Colombia’s coach, Francisco Maturana stressed the importance of his goalkeeper to the system of play and acknowledged the huge contribution ‘El Loco’ made to his team. He compared his goalkeeper to the Jan Jongbloed, the great Holland keeper in the 1974 World Cup. Maturana stated that the Dutchman also operated as a sweeper but with a difference as he merely came out to boot the ball into the stands.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e‘Higuita, gives us something no one else has, With René as sweeper, we have 11 outfield players, he can do much more.’ \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFrancisco Maturana\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LA6oQufLcD8?wmode=transparent\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":71697342,"sku":"GS-P-RH-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":852205749,"sku":"GS-P-RH-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":852206421,"sku":"GS-P-RH-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/goalsoul_posters_big_higuita.png?v=1295365012"},{"product_id":"ruud-gullit-poster","title":"Ruud Gullit - The Black Tulip","description":"\u003cp\u003eRuud\r\nGullit (born as Ruud Dil, September 1\u003csup\u003est\r\n\u003c\/sup\u003e1962 in\r\nAmsterdam) is a Dutch footballer turned manager, who played\r\nprofessionally in the 1980s and 1990s. Raised in the school of ‘Total\r\nFootall’, he remains one of the most prestigious and accomplished\r\nplayers of the beautiful game and his incredible versatility allowed\r\nhim to play as defender, midfielder and forward.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1982,\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;his 19th birthday,\u0026nbsp;Ruud made his international debut. He went on become the captain of the Netherlands national team that was victorious at Euro 88 and was also a member of the squad for the 1990 World Cup. He was named the\r\nEuropean Footballer of the Year in 1987 and the World Soccer Player\r\nof the Year in 1987 and 1989. Gullit made appearances for many top\r\nEuropean teams, notably, PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, UC Sampdoria and\r\nChelsea FC. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHe finally ended his playing career at Chelsea FC\r\nwhere he was promoted to manager. He made an exceptional start to his\r\nmanagerial career by guiding Chelsea to FA Cup victory. This was the\r\nclub's first piece of silverware in over a quarter of a century,\r\nmaking Gullit the first foreign manager to win the FA cup. In so\r\ndoing he made another historic first by becoming the first black\r\nmanager to achieve the milestone of winning a major trophy not just\r\nin England, but in Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHe has consistently shown his commitment to campaigns against racism,\r\nnot only in football, but also in his vehement support of South\r\nAfrica's struggle against apartheid. He dedicated both his World and\r\nEuropean Footballer of the Year awards to Nelson Mandela, who at the\r\ntime was imprisoned in South Africa for his humanitarian fight\r\nagainst Apartheid. In 1996, the Dutch Sports Ministry honoured Gullit\r\nwith the role of European Ambassador for the campaigns against Racism\r\nand Violence in Football.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e‘The more you stand up for your\r\nrights, the bigger a player you are, the more hostility you will\r\nface. I just said to myself during these trying periods, ‘Okay,\r\nRuud, when you stick up for yourself you know what happen.’ I\r\nhaven’t changed my attitude: I’ve always done what I felt had to\r\nbe done, what was right.’ \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\r\n\u003cb\u003eRuud\r\nGullit\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e‘Ruud, I have lots of friends now. When I was on the inside, you were one of\r\nthe few’\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\r\n\u003cb\u003eNelson Mandela\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ciframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sEO3w6vNw_o?wmode=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\r\n","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":71697452,"sku":"GS-P-RG-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":852214561,"sku":"GS-P-RG-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":852215421,"sku":"GS-P-RG-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/goalsoul_posters_big_gullit.png?v=1295365109"},{"product_id":"diego-maradona-poster","title":"Diego Maradona - El Pibe de Oro","description":"\u003cp\u003eInherent within Diego Armando Maradona’s nickname of El Pibe de Oro (golden boy\/kid) is a sense of mischief impossible to translate verbatim. The pibe is a classic anti-establishment rogue, street smart and full of guile. Diego was born 30th October 1960, in Villa Fiorito, an impoverished district of Buenos Aires. By the time he was 10 he was already a star in Argentina. He regularly appeared on TV in black and white newsreel footage, juggling anything from a football to an orange. Maradona’s life story is the stuff of legend, from rags to riches, from narcotics to sainthood. His accolades are numerous and illustrious, including Golden Ball winner for best player and FIFA World Cup winner (junior level 1979 – senior level 1986); winner of the Goal of the Century award and Player of the Century joint winner, sharing the honour with Pele. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Pele had nearly everything. Maradona has everything. He works harder, does more and is more skilful. Trouble is that he'll be remembered for another reason. He bends the rules to suit himself.'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSir Alf Ramsey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'What I could do with a ball, Maradona could do with an orange.'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMichel Platini\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ddDKIBB5PBo?wmode=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":71698072,"sku":"GS-P-DM-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851582025,"sku":"GS-P-DM-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851582453,"sku":"GS-P-DM-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/goalsoul_posters_big_diego.png?v=1295365658"},{"product_id":"johann-cruyff-poster","title":"Johan Cruyff - Pythagoras in Boots","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRIP Johan Cruyff\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e: April 25, 1947 - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarch 24 2016. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBorn in Amsterdam, Holland, Hendrik Johannes Cruijff (Cruyff) was one of the most famous exponents of the football philosophy known as Total Football explored by Rinus Michels for Ajax of Amsterdam and KNVB. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He was described as 'Pythagoras in boots' for the complexity and precision of his angled passes. He played with such grace, technique, accuracy and vision but his temper was sometimes volatile and his opinion was always available. His football theories, and his way of expressing himself became popularly known as 'Cruijffiaans'. His most famous one liner is a mix of brilliant insight and simple logic: 'Ieder nadeel heb z'n voordeel' ('every disadvantage has its advantage').\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe was effortlessly glorious both on and off the pitch. A leader, philosopher, innovator and agitator in equal measure, he was simply a genius and this is reflected in our classic ‘Pythagoras in Boots’ design. To pay a fitting tribute to the great man, we have released ‘Pythagoras’ across a suite of colours that are synonymous with teams where his reputation was forged, and where his legacy and seismic impact continue to reverberate to this day. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Few have been able to exact, both physically and mentally, such mesmeric control on a match from one penalty area to another.'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDavid Miller (acclaimed sports writer)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Voetbal is simpel, maar het moeilijkste wat er is, is simpel voetballen. (Football is simple, but the hardest thing there is, is to play simple football.)'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eJohan Cruyff\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ciframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CK8M23dsMKY?wmode=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print) \/ Dutch Black","offer_id":71710562,"sku":"GS-P-JC-60x80-Black","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print) \/ Ajax Red","offer_id":18554784836,"sku":"GS-P-JC-60x80-Red","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print) \/ Barca Blue","offer_id":18554777476,"sku":"GS-P-JC-60x80-Blue","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print) \/ Dutch White","offer_id":18554767556,"sku":"GS-P-JC-60x80-White","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print) \/ Dutch Black","offer_id":851616361,"sku":"GS-P-JC-40x50-Black","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print) \/ Ajax Red","offer_id":18554784900,"sku":"GS-P-JC-40x50-Red","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print) \/ Barca Blue","offer_id":18554777540,"sku":"GS-P-JC-40x50-Blue","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print) \/ Dutch White","offer_id":18554767620,"sku":"GS-P-JC-40x50-White","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print) \/ Dutch Black","offer_id":851617025,"sku":"GS-P-JC-30x40-Black","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print) \/ Ajax Red","offer_id":18554784964,"sku":"GS-P-JC-30x40-Red","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print) \/ Barca Blue","offer_id":18554777604,"sku":"GS-P-JC-30x40-Blue","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print) \/ Dutch White","offer_id":18554767684,"sku":"GS-P-JC-30x40-White","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/ART_DEFAULTS_CRUYFF_BLACK.png?v=1462525265"},{"product_id":"battle-of-santiago-1","title":"Battle of Santiago - Chile v Italy 1962","description":"\u003cp\u003eBattle of Santiago (Chile v Italy 1962). The 1962 FIFA World Cup Chile was marred by violence. The infamous first-round match between host Chile and Italy (2–0) is known as the Battle of Santiago. It is probably the most violent game in the history of the World Cup. The match saw repeated, deliberate attempts from players on both sides to harm opponents, and the Italian team needed protection to leave the field in safety. The first foul was 12 seconds in, the first sending off was after 8 minutes. Kenneth George \"Ken\" Aston, MBE (1 September 1915–23 October 2001) was the referee on the day. He later went on to devise the yellow and red card system whereby referees show a yellow card for a caution and a red card for an expulsion, which was first used in the 1970 World Cup. Aston sent off two Italian players, and had to break up a number of scuffles and fights on the pitch. Armed police had to enter the field of play on three separate occasions to help the referee to restore order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'I wasn't reffing a football match, I was acting as an umpire in military manoeuvres.'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eKen Aston\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'The most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football, possibly in the history of the game.'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDavid Coleman\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e \u003ciframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qbOL765-w9w?wmode=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":73516832,"sku":"GSP-BoS-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":848120017,"sku":"GS-P-BoS-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":848120161,"sku":"GS-P-B0S-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/goalsoul_posters_big_battle.png?v=1296425622"},{"product_id":"mane-garrincha","title":"Mane Garrincha - Brazil's Little Bird","description":"\u003cp\u003eManuel Francisco dos Santos was born in Pau Grande, a district of Magé, in the state of Rio de Janeiro (October 28, 1933 – January 20, 1983). He was known by the nickname 'Garrincha' (Portuguese for 'little bird'). His nickname is thought to have derived from his love of hunting small wrens 'garrinchinhas' and the fact that he was as small as a little bird, which prompted his eldest sister to call him garrincha. He had several birth defects: his spine was deformed, his right leg bent inwards and his left leg six centimeters shorter and curved outwards. None of which impeded his ability to play football at the highest level. He was immensely popular in Brazil, and was also called Alegria do Povo (Joy of the People) and Anjo de Pernas Tortas (Angel with Bent Legs). A right-winger and twice World Cup winner he is widely regarded as the best dribbler in football history. Pelé is the most instantly recognisable player for those outside Brazil but Garrincha is the one with whom most Brazilians associate. Unlike Pelé, Garrincha was unable to pull himself out of poverty. His tragic story is not much known outside of Brazil, but after a series of financial and marital problems, he died of cirrhosis of the liver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Pele was an athlete and Garrincha was an artist. Put them together and you had a perfect, unstoppable combination.' \u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBrazilian journalist Armando Nogueira\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Here rests in peace the one who was the Joy of the People - Mané Garrincha.'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eManuel’s Epitaph\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ciframe src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Od6KVVCScto?wmode=transparent\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":73517792,"sku":"GS-P-MG-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851629097,"sku":"GS-P-MG-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851629681,"sku":"GS-P-MG-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/goalsoul_posters_big_garrincha.png?v=1296425900"},{"product_id":"michel-platinis-magic-square","title":"Platini's Magic Square - Carré Magique","description":"\u003cp\u003eDuring the 1980s, the French national team exhibited an elegant, skilful, and attacking style of play. Similar to their South American counterparts the team earned the nickname of the \"Brazilians of Europe\". They flourished under their coach Michel Hidalgo, and were led by the immensely gifted playmaker and captain Michel Platini, who, alongside Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse, and the tough tackling Luis Fernández, formed 'Le Carré Magique' ('Magic Square'). Considered to be one of the greatest midfield quartets in the history of the game, they developed a blueprint system that has been repeatedly emulated. Le Carré Magique were the heart of the French national team throughout the 80's. In Spain, FIFA World Cup 1982, they were knocked out (quite literally) by Germany in an infamous semi-final clash. In 1984, they became champions of Europe in Paris, steering France to a 2-0 victory over Spain in the UEFA European Championships Final. Platini scored the first of the two goals in the final. Incredibly, it was his 9th goal of the tournament, and France's 14th across an undefeated five-game passage to the final.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'If a FIFA World Cup tournament had been held every year between 1982 and 1986, France would have won two or three.'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMichel Platini\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'When I was a kid and played with my friends, I always chose to be Platini. I would let my friends share between them the names of my other idols.'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eZinedine Zidane\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ciframe src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RI0LBQ9oDBA?wmode=transparent\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":73518062,"sku":"GS-P-MP-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851674637,"sku":"GS-P-MP-40x50","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851675505,"sku":"GS-P-MP-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/goalsoul_posters_big_cmagique.png?v=1296425996"},{"product_id":"socrates","title":"Socrates - El Doctor","description":"\u003cp\u003eSócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, born 19 February 1954 in Belém do Pará, Brazil. one of the great midfielders and most compelling characters in modern football history, Sócrates captained the Joga Bonita Brazil squad in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. In the same period he graduated from the Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, receiving a doctorate in medicine; and later a doctorate degree in philosophy. Revered in his homeland he is notorious for his love for life, along with a passion for both cigarettes and alcohol!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'We have lost touch with humanity, people are driven by results. They used to go to football to see a spectacle. Now, they go to watch a war and what matters is who wins. For me beauty comes first, victory is secondary and what really matters is joy!'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSócrates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Tpi-ocuEAnA?wmode=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":73519152,"sku":"GS-P-SOC-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":852249157,"sku":"GS-P-SOC-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":852249889,"sku":"GS-P-SOC-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/goalsoul_posters_big_socrates.png?v=1296426273"},{"product_id":"zinedine-zidane","title":"Zinedine Zidane - Serious Infraction","description":"\u003cp\u003eZinedine Yazid Zidane; born 23 June 1972, in Marseille, France, is regarded as one of the game's all-time greats. One of only two three-time FIFA World Player of the Year winners, the French talisman’s career accomplishments are almost unequalled. Yet he left professional football under a cloud. Towards the end of the 2006 World Cup final he was dramatically sent off for headbutting Italy's Marco Materazzi following verbal taunts and insults. Despite the incident, ‘Zizou’ was allowed to keep the Golden Ball award, and in 2010, he said that he ‘would rather die’ than apologize to the Italian. Even genius has a breaking point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Nobody knows if Zidane is an angel or demon. He smiles like Saint Teresa and grimaces like a serial killer.'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJean-Louis Murat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vF4iWIE77Ts?wmode=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":73519572,"sku":"GS-P-ZZ-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":852272265,"sku":"GS-P-ZZ-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":852272969,"sku":"GS-P-ZZ-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/goalsoul_posters_big_zidane.png?v=1296426364"},{"product_id":"emilio-butragueno-poster","title":"Emilio Butragueno - The Vulture's Quint","description":"\u003cp\u003eEmilio Butragueño Santos (born 22 July 1963 in Madrid) is a former Spanish footballer. He joined Real Madrid's youth system in 1981. During this period, Butragueño acquired the nickname 'El Buitre' (The Vulture), a play on his surname. He was given his senior debut by Alfredo Di Stéfano on 5 February 1984.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePrior to his first team debut, there was a publication in the Spanish daily El País titled 'La Quinta del Buitre', written by Julio César Iglesias (November 15, 1983), which highlighted the promise of 5 young players from Real Madrid's academy. 'La Quinta del Buitre' (Vulture's Quint), would become renowned as a generation of club-grown players that dominated Spanish football in the 1980s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTogether they would inspire Real Madrid in one of the most trophy-laden passages in its history. 'El Buitre' spearheaded the legendary quintet that included Rafael Martin Vazquez, Michel, Miguel Pardeza and Manolo Sanchis - all born in Madrid with the exception of Pardeza.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAll five players were part of Spain's squad during 1990 FIFA World Cup. 'El Buitre' would represent the Spanish national team in two World Cups and two European Championships, scoring 26 international goals for his country, a record that stood for several years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSanchís would be the only member of 'La Quinta' to see his career out at Real Madrid, holding the club record for most appearances with 712. In the process, he became the only one of the original 5 to get his hands on the European Cup, lifting the trophy as captain in 1998 and 2000.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eButragueño was considered one of the most lethal strikers in the Europe in the 1980s. He was a smart player and always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, scoring most of his goals from inside the penalty box. He was never sent off during his 12 years at the top and picked up only five yellow cards in all that time. 12 seasons with Real Madrid, he played a total of 341 games scoring a total of 123 goals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'I'm a great believer in players just focusing on how they can help their team and nothing else.And as I saw it, I wasn’t going to achieve that by fighting with the opposing team or the referee. My aim was to use my wit and invention to win games.'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eEmilio Butragueño\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DwXyKNU7JYg?wmode=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":98955572,"sku":"GS-P-EB-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851585393,"sku":"GS-P-EB-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851585841,"sku":"GS-P-EB-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/posters_butra.png?v=1306851666"},{"product_id":"paul-mcgrath-poster","title":"Paul McGrath - New York Giant","description":"\u003cp\u003ePaul\nMcGrath was born in Ealing, London, UK (1959). At the age of four\nweeks old he was given up for adoption. Enduring a tough childhood,\nhe grew up behind closed doors in a number of Church run orphanages\nin 1960s Dublin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cbr \/\u003eHis first professional football club was St\nPatricks Athletic, Ireland, where he drew the attention of several\nEnglish clubs and earned the nickname \"The Black Pearl of\nInchicore\". He would go on to become a football legend at\nManchester United and Aston Villa.\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cbr \/\u003eThe boy orphan from Dublin\nwent on to win 83 caps (8 goals) for his country and became the first\nblack man to captain the Republic of Ireland. His legendary status in\nIreland is such that on Nelson Mandela’s visit to Dublin in the\n1990s, he was greeted with the chants of ‘Ooh-Ah Paul McGrath's\nDa’. \u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cbr \/\u003eDuring the 1994 FIFA World Cup (USA), McGrath put on\nhis most astonishing defensive performance, often described as\nperhaps the finest display by any Irish player. It\nwas Ireland’s opening game against Italy on June 18\nat\nGiants Stadium, home to the New York Giants. It was expected to be\nlike a home match for the Italians, with the great Italian community\nof New Jersey coming out to support their team. Instead the stadium\nwas filled to the brim with Irish supporters. McGrath inspired his\nIrish team mates to a1–0\nshock victory over the Italians.\n\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cbr \/\u003eItaly, were one of the tournament favorites with players like\nRoberto Baggio, Beppe Signori, Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi in\ntheir squad. Baggio\nwas the cornerstone of the Italian team and arguably the best player\nin the world at the time (winner of the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA\nWorld Player of the Year in 1993). \u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cbr \/\u003eBaggio, considered by many\nto be one of the finest footballers of his generation, soon\nknew that McGrath had the better of him on this occasion. Though he\ntried to keep his distance, he could not find a way to influence\ngame, he\nwould later admit that he had never met a better centre half than\nPaul McGrath.\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cbr \/\u003eIt’s difficult to comprehend, but McGrath was\nnot even fully fit for this game. He suffered from long term\nrecurrent\nknee problems\nand had been hit by a painful shoulder virus which severely limited\nthe movement in his left arm. \n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs\nwith many of the greats, he was touched by demons and for Paul there\nwere many dark moments in his life; mental health problems and his\nall too\npublic struggle with alcoholism.\nThough, when he stepped out on to the pitch he was an absolute \u003cb\u003egiant\u003c\/b\u003e.\nHe played for both club and country with a style and grace that only\nthe truly great possess. \n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e‘Big\nPaul showed all the qualities demanded of us for half an hour in\nGiants Stadium that day. For him the word big is appropriate. Known\nfor his poise, his ability on the ball, his unique gift for reading\nthe game, Paul displayed all these qualities that day. One other huge\nasset was his courage. When the Italians did get sight of the goal,\nPaul presented a final, unsurmountable obstacle. He inspired us as in\nthe end he demoralised Roberto Baggio and the other Italian players.’\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRoy\nKeane\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e‘He\nwas an exceptionally skilful and stylish defender, with marvelous\ninnate athleticism...a man whose abilities stood comparison with\nthose of any central defender in the game.’\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSir\nAlex Ferguson\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QRRt8Pwv3cY?wmode=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":98957442,"sku":"GS-P-PM-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851662249,"sku":"GS-P-PM-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851662733,"sku":"GS-P-PM-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/posters_mcg.png?v=1306852632"},{"product_id":"franz-beckenbauer-poster","title":"Franz Beckenbauer - The Puppet Master","description":"\u003cp\u003eFranz Anton Beckenbauer was born 11 September 1945 in Munich, amid the ruins of post-war Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe joined the youth team at Bayern Munich when he was 14, and three years later gave up his job as a trainee insurance salesman to become a professional footballer. He was nicknamed 'Der Kaiser' ('The Emperor') because of his elegant style, his leadership and his first name being 'Franz' –reminiscent of the Austrian emperor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBeckenbauer is the only man to have won the World Cup both as both player and manager. He won 103 caps and scored 14 goals for West Germany in a truly glittering career. He was a member of the World Cup squads that finished runners-up in 1966, and third place in 1970. In 1974, on home turf in Munich, he finally got his hands on the ultimate prize, leading his country to a 2-1 victory in the 1974 World Cup final against Johan Cruyff's dazzling Holland side. He was also instrumental in establishing Bayern as a major European force in the mid-seventies, leading them to three successive European Cup victories (1974-1976) and also to the European Cup Winners' Cup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe is without question one of the greatest players and coaches of all time, but it is not just for the countless medals and trophies that Beckenbauer is remembered. Rather it is for the seemingly effortless, style and genius with which he played. He was a great thinker and helped to revolutionise the way the game is played.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBeckenbauer is revered for his versatility. Starting out as a midfielder and having adapted to many roles on the pitch, he made his name as a defender. He is often credited as having invented the modern sweeper role (libero), transforming it into one of a playmaker. His position on the pitch was fluid. From behind the defensive line, he was able to burst forward to midfield and lead an attack with the greatest of ease and elegance. Those powerful, long runs out of central defence had never been seen before. Up to then, the sweeper had no need or desire to be in an opponents' half of the field, let alone lead an attack. He contributed an element of surprise that more often than not resulted in goals for his team.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'He was the puppet master, standing back and pulling the strings which earned West Germany and Bayern Munich every major prize.' \u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eKeir Radnedge - The Ultimate Encyclopedia\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'As someone who played a team sport, I feel a bit uncomfortable being ranked as an individual so high'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDer kaiser\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fLeYwpnHnA8?wmode=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\u003c\/em\u003e\n","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":160855652,"sku":"GS-P-FB-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851588693,"sku":"GS-P-FB-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851589085,"sku":"GS-P-FB-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/print_bbauer_1024h.png?v=1321372236"},{"product_id":"zidane-black-blanc-beur-poster","title":"Zinedine Zidane - Black Blanc Beur","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Hexagon (l' Hexagone) is an epithet of France, owing to the shape of its European mainland. The FIFA World Cup was contested in France in 1998 and 'Le football hexagonal' triumphed when the French national team won the World Cup on home soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe team's World Cup success was seen as ultimate proof that integration had worked in France. There was nothing that prevented the children of immigrants succeeding in French society, and it was famously celebrated as a melange of 'Black, Blanc, Beur' (black, white and Arab). It was a playful dig at the red, white, and blue colours of the French national flag, and was born of the cultural and ethnic diversity of the team, whose families had roots in both French colonialism and post-colonial immigration. The players’ origins included France, Guyana, Kalmykia, Poland, Armenia, Ghana, Algeria, Guadeloupe, Mantillas, New Caledonia and Argentina. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZinedine Yazid Zidane was central to the team's success and emerged as the iconic figure in the set-up. Born 23 June 1972 in Marseille, France, he is regarded as one of the game's all-time greats. One of only two players to have won the FIFA World Player of the Year three times, he was part the generation who won the Coupe du Monde France 98 and the 2000 European Championship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZidane, whose parents emigrated from Algeria to France in 1953, has become a proud symbol of the multicultural French society. ‘Black, Blanc, Beur’ was a slogan often touted as a mythological tricolor of racial tolerance, but according to Zidane, it was nothing more than 'media invention'. Although dismissive of the label, he did acknowledge that there was a multicultural pride that surrounded the team, famously saying: 'This mix was our strength'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs much as the so-called 'beautiful game' would like to represent a color-blind and cosmopolitan ideal of a multi-cultural society, the reality off the field — and occasionally even on the field — is a lot uglier. France is a country that has often had a difficult time integrating its minorities into peaceful co-existence. Le Pen (Leader of French National Front) grumbled at the time that the victors of 1998 were not 'a real French team'. In May 2011 the French Football Federation, with Laurent Blanc as national team coach (captain of the 1998 French side), were embroiled in a huge controversy when rumors emerged that the FFA were proposing to cap the number of young players of non-French origin progressing through the youth football academies. In a response to this controversy, Arsene Wenger, Arsenal's long-serving, progressive French manager, made his feelings clear, stating ‘Your national football has to be identified by the culture of the football and the quality of your education, not where people come from’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the French team won the World Cup in 1998 it was not just a sporting achievement, it was a social phenomenon. The notion of ‘Black Blanc Beur’ was picked up and misapprehended by both media and politics to indicate social harmony. The urban ghetto riots in France 2005 serves as a harsh reminder that integration is not yet a reality, but at the same time the triumph of ‘Black Blanc Beur’ serves as evidence that something positive can come out of marginalised communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'This mix was our strength'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eZinedine Zidane\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e‘Your national football has to be identified by the culture of the football and the quality of your education, not where people come from.’\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eArsene Wenger\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ciframe src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gZXc78jcdrg?wmode=transparent\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":160856182,"sku":"GS-P-BBB-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":852269129,"sku":"GS-P-BBB-40-50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":852270265,"sku":"GS-P-BBB-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/print_bbb_1024h.png?v=1321372337"},{"product_id":"hidetoshi-nakata-poster","title":"Hidetoshi Nakata - Red Blood Wound","description":"\u003cp\u003eHidetoshi Nakata was born on 22nd January 1977, Yamanashi in Japan. He started his football journey with Hokushin Boys Football Club’s youth side in 1986.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNakata went on to become the most popular footballer in Japan and arguably the most popular Asian footballer of all time. He played in the top flight of two European leagues, the Italian Serie A and the English Premier League. He was the AFC’s Player of the Year in 1997 and 1998, and FIFA named him in their list of top living footballers in 2004. He was also nominated three times for the Ballon d'Or and four times for the FIFA World Player of the Year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOutside of football, Nakata has shown a great interest in fashion, attending runway shows, wearing high-end designer clothing and sporting colorful haircuts. In Japan, he is a fashion icon and often regarded as the 'Asian' David Beckham. Due to his status on and off the pitch, he has become a role model for many Asian football exports to Europe. Andrea Tenerani, a photographer for GQ in Italy said of Nakata, 'He's perfect; he's like a model - and he's totally obsessed with fashion.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most iconic pieces he has worn is a very rare couture shirt by Dior Homme. The white, sleeveless shirt has a huge blood stain made-up of hand sewn red beads and sequins. It was a piece from the 'Red\/Boys Don't Cry' collection (2002) known as the 'blood wound' shirt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDuring his 10 year career, he played for the Japanese national team in three FIFA World Cup tournaments and twice in the Olympics. Nakata surprised many people within and around football when he retired in 2006 at the age of 29, still very much in his prime. He'd made 77 appearances for Japan and scored 11 goals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn March 11, 2011 a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck offshore Japan. Even in a country which experiences many earthquakes, the scale of this disaster is the biggest in living memory. On hearing the news, Nakata immediately cancelled his business schedule and focused his time and energy on supporting the fundraising activities, to aid the suffering in his homeland. He quickly took action by organising football events, bringing together A-list celebrities and famous football contributors through the ‘Take Action Foundation’ of which he is the Representative Director.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe stated in an interview with the BBC 'Sports is really big - especially football is worldwide. Football can bring and connect all the people which is very important right now and also for the future as well.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'He will be remembered as the catalyst of Asian and Japanese football'.\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSam Allardyce\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vXJdoi5A-qw?wmode=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":160856792,"sku":"GS-P-HN-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851595429,"sku":"GS-P-HN-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851595857,"sku":"GS-P-HN-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/print_nakata_1024h.png?v=1321372663"},{"product_id":"copy-of-lev-yashin-the-black-spider","title":"Lev Yashin - The Black Spider","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere are relatively few players whose sheer brilliance have helped revolutionise the game of football, but former USSR No1 Lev Yashin is unquestionably one of them. He is widely considered to be the greatest and most innovative goalkeeper ever, and is the only one ever to win the European Footballer of the Year (1963).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYashin’s popularity grew rapidly thanks to his imposing displays and abundant charisma. Dressed head to toe in black and able to smother even the fiercest of efforts, his nickname, the 'Black Spider', only enhanced his iconic status. He was also an intimidating presence and leader on the field, organising all the defensive aspects of his teams. He is believed to have stopped around 150 penalty kicks during his career, far more than any other keeper in history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBorn and raised in Moscow, Yashin incredibly spent the whole of his twenty-year professional career at his beloved Dynamo, taking his final bow for them in the Russian capital in 1971. His testimonial match at the Lenin Stadium was attended by 100,000 fans, and a host of the world's football stars including Pelé, Eusébio and Franz Beckenbauer turned out to honour the great man.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1967, in acknowledgement of outstanding service to the people and to his country, Yashin was awarded the Order of Lenin, the highest award of the USSR.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'The joy of seeing Yuri Gagarin flying in space is only superseded by the joy of a good penalty save.'\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLev Yashin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/94oLt1Lkxmg?wmode=transparent\" height=\"300\" width=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":207629706,"sku":"GS-P-LY-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851622141,"sku":"GS-P-LY-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851622401,"sku":"GS-P-LY-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/goalsoul_print_yashin_1.png?v=1330689359"},{"product_id":"copy-of-roberto-rivelino-elastico-fantastico","title":"Roberto Rivelino - Elastico Fantastico","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe legendary and iconic Roberto Rivelino, born 1946 in Sao Paolo, featured in three World Cups for Brazil, including their third and most celebrated success in Mexico in 1970. Lining up alongside the likes of Pele, Carlos Alberto, Gérson, Tostao and Jairzinho, he played a key role in what is widely acknowledged as being the greatest football squad of all time.\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eLauded for his grace and style, Rivelino's dazzling array of moves, thunderous shooting and free-kicks, effortless distribution, quick-thinking and distinct control, secured his status not only as one of the best midfielders of his generation, but in the history of Brazillian football. He is credited with the invention of the 'elastico' (‘flip-flap’), an amazing move in which he faked going right while keeping control of the ball and then spinning it to his left . From Romario to Ronaldo, to Ronaldinho and presently Neymar, his signature move has been handed down generations of Brazilian stars who have since endeavoured to master and incorporate it into their repertoire.\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e‘When I was a kid I used to watch Brazil play,” “I wasn’t\nbothered about what Pele was doing, though. I used to watch out for Rivelino,\non the other side of the pitch. He was everything I wanted to be as a player.\nHis dribbling was flawless, his passes perfect and his shots unstoppable. And\nhe did everything with his left foot. It didn’t matter if his right foot was\nonly good to stand on, because there was nothing he couldn’t do with his left.\nTo me it was beautiful.’\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDiego Maradona\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \n\u003ciframe width=\"420\" height=\"280\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cBr711W9jpA?wmode=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":207630198,"sku":"GS-P-RR-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":852208249,"sku":"GS-P-RR-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":852208769,"sku":"GS-P-RR-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/goalsoul_print_rivelino_1.png?v=1330689064"},{"product_id":"mario-kempes-redeemer-79","title":"Mario Kempes - Redeemer ‘78","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eMario Alberto Kempes Chiodi (born 15 July\n1954 in Bell Ville, Córdoba) is a retired Argentine footballer, most notable\nfor being the leading goalscorer in the 1978 World Cup tournament hosted in\nArgentina. Nicknamed 'El Matador', he scored six goals in the tournament, two\nin the final against the Netherlands, which Argentina won 3-1. He had his most successful\nyear as a professional footballer in the same year, winning the FIFA Golden Boot\nand being named South American Football Player of the Year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe ’78 final against Holland is etched in the memory of most\nfootball fans, not just for the ticker-tape littered pitch of the Estadio\nMonumental, but also\u003cspan\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003efor\nthe iconic\u003cspan\u003e\u0026nbsp;'Y-shaped'\u0026nbsp;goal\ncelebrations of ‘El Matador’\u003c\/span\u003e. For the most part, the\u003cspan\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/span\u003efootball of this tournament was filled\nwith both controversy and entertainment, but most importantly,\u0026nbsp;had this\nresult possibly laid to rest the ideal of Holland’s ‘Total Football’, having\nfallen short in two consecutive finals?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003eO\u003c\/span\u003eff-the-field, the reality of the tournament was as\ndark as it was brutal.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan\u003eHolland had been calling for\na boycott in the lead up to the tournament. They'd voiced great concerns and\ndoubts over the viability and ethics behind FIFA’s decision to let Argentina\nhost the ’78 World Cup. The Dutch, along with several other countries, had\noffered to host the tournament,\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan\u003eas\u003cspan\u003e\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eparticipating\nnations were genuinely concerned\u0026nbsp;for their\u0026nbsp;safety\u003cspan\u003e.\u003cu1:p\u003e\u003c\/u1:p\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe late 70's was a period of extreme turbulence\nand trouble in the host country. General Jorge Rafael Videla was the leader,\nthanks to his position as head of a miliary junta that had seized control of\nthe country just one year before. As head of the military dictatorship, his\ntyranny was characterised by government-based terrorism, aimed primarily at\nstudents, young workers, intellectuals and left wing figures, sponsoring forced\ndisappearances and assassinations within Argentina. To this day, nobody knows\nhow many people were affected or killed – the number is thought to be around\n30,000. Essentially a campaign of terror, this political backdrop to the 1978\nWorld Cup became known as the 'Dirty War', and was assumed, for many years, to\nbe the reason for Dutch talisman Johan Cruyff's absence from the tournament.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eThe man to eventually hand the World Cup trophy to\nArgentina’s winning captain, Daniel Passerella, was none other than General\nJorge Rafael Videla.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWinning the World\nCup was just what the long-suffering people of Argentina needed - it brought\njoy into their lives. I remember that I was called up because other players,\nlike Osvaldo Piazza, couldn't be included. I wore the No10 shirt, and Diego\nMaradona, who I'd never seen play, was left out. Of course, he went on to\nbecome the greatest Argentinean player of all time.\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMario Kempes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\n\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TC4nMpuod4M?wmod=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":256846396,"sku":"GS-P-MK-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851633177,"sku":"GS-P-MK-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":851635709,"sku":"GS-P-MK-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/mario_print.png?v=1353584395"},{"product_id":"brazil-82-syncopated-selection-1","title":"Brazil 82 - Syncopated Selection","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen the Brazilian national football team (Seleção Brasileira) participated in the 1982 FIFA World Cup, they maintained their record of being the only team to have entered every World Cup Finals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe finals, held in Spain, promised beautiful football, iconic stars, unforgettable matches and moments of high drama. The most gifted collection of footballers at the tournament, without doubt, were the Brazilians. They were the 'dream team' of 1982 and went into the finals in spectacular form,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the whole of Brazil expecting them to return with the trophy, they were feted as being better than the legendary world champions of 1970. Featuring players of tremendous ability, with names that rolled off the tongue and fired the imagination - Zico, Socrates, Falcao, Junior, Eder – they were the heart and soul of the 1982 World Cup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTele Santana, as coach of the Seleção, wanted his team to play beautiful, engaging football, entrusting his creative players, which was essentially all of them, to play with real freedom and expression. He encouraged them to express themselves through their capacity for fluid, rhythmic, spectacular football. They scored goals of incredible beauty and finesse. They were artists with a football, mesmerising both the opposition and the viewing millions, producing moments of sheer joy and intense emotion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, on the 5th\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eJuly, 1982, in the Estadi de Sarrià, Barcelona, the unthinkable happened. Santana's majestic Brazil\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWorld Cup side were beaten 3-2 by a considerably less flamboyant, but very well organised and defensive-minded Italian side, and were eliminated from the competition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor many, the best national side that Brazil has ever produced did not actually make it to the World Cup final, or even the semi-final. In the modern era, Seleção 82 remain the ultimate standard-bearers for beautiful, expressive, football. A true reflection of the loose, 'free', soulful syncopated rhythms that characterised their music and approach to life, they were the perfect embodiment of the samba spirit… irrespective of whether they actually won that trophy or not.\u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“The Brazilians play football as if it were a dance…for [they] tend to reduce everything to dance, work and play alike.”\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGilberto Freyre \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“For all Brazilians, music and football is a mixture that's inside us.”\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePele\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFootnote\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDefinition: “Syncopation is music's red light district, Where Rhythm gets loose playful and mischievous It makes music more fun, less mechanical mathematical and machine like. It makes things sound human and quirky.”\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHoward Goodall\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zZxvYy5-ekI?wmode=transparent\" height=\"315\" width=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"goalsoul","offers":[{"title":"60 x 80 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":558272377,"sku":"GSP-BSS-60x80","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"40 x 50 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":848122421,"sku":"GS-P-BSS-40x50","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 x 40 cm (Giclée Art Print)","offer_id":848122557,"sku":"GS-P-BSS-30x40","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/8002\/products\/art_1024_Selecao82.png?v=1392991061"},{"product_id":"andrea-pirlo-the-architect-s-perspective-1","title":"Andrea Pirlo - The Architect’s Perspective","description":"\u003cp\u003eBorn in Flero, Italy, on 19th May 1979, Andre Pirlo, nicknamed l'architetto (‘the architect’), is a living legend of Italian football. One of the most iconic and cultured playmakers of recent generations, he has enjoyed a football renaissance in the twilight of his career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving served as an\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eintegral part of AC Milan’s midfield\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efor over decade, he began to feel that he was becoming surplus to requirements. It was mutually agreed that his contract\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewould not be renewed, and on 14 May 2011, he made his last appearance for the Rossoneri.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the same year that he left Milan, Pirlo agreed to join Juventus as a free agent. Despite being 32, the old maestro became a leader of the glorious 'La Vecchia Signora' squad, and has won the Scudetto twice since his move to Turin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the key aspects of his game has been his incredible vision and exquisite creativity, which allows him to read and see the game in ways that most fail. His sharp, acute perspective allows him to envision and execute passing moves that can easily bend and reshape opposing team formations – be it a simple sidestep a 180 degree turn or an immaculate pass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePirlo helped Italy reached the final of the European Championships in 2012, where they eventually lost out to Spain. His performances, especially the game against England in the quarter final, drew many plaudits, and he was promptly hailed as one of the finest midfielders in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith over 100 appearances for his country, a feat achieved only by Dino Zoff, Gianluigi Buffon, Paolo Maldini and Fabio Cannavaro; he recently announced that he will be retiring from international football after the Brazil 2014 World Cup finals. Only time will tell if he can lead the blue of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eLa Squadra to a fifth World Cup victory in his final campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAndrea Pirlo comes from a time when football was still lauded as an art form, a man who loves football and everything it encompasses. He is a great example for younger generations, and deserves to be remembered for years to come as one of the games' greats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLe Corbusier\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003e“Pirlo doesn’t just kick the ball. He caresses it. 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He captained the national team at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, regarded by many as the best team ever not to win football's showcase tournament.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn and off the field, Socrates stood out above the rest. His elegant style and his deep involvement in politics made him a unique figure in Brazilian football, setting him apart from the players of his time and even of today. The 1982 team were similarly unique, a collection of stand-out individuals, they were the stars of the tournament and clear favourites. With arguably one of the most talented midfields of all time, they were allowed free rein to express themselves, with no thought for pragmatism. The team was built for beauty rather than efficiency, style rather function.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the 5th July, 1982, in the Estadi de Sarrià, Barcelona, the unthinkable happened. Santana's majestic Brazil World Cup side were beaten by a considerably less flamboyant, but very well organised and defensive-minded Italian side. The result was seen by many as not only a defeat for Brazil, but a defeat of their attacking philosophy by the less talented but more organised and resolute Italians.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Italians won 3-2 with striker Paolo Rossi scoring a hat trick. The result eliminated Brazil from the tournament, while Italy went on to win it. 'Catenaccio'\u003cspan\u003e - \u003c\/span\u003e the tactical system with a strong emphasis on defence and pragmatism, became synonymous with the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eItalian\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e game\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis match has since been labelled by Brazilian press as the 'Sarrià Stadium Tragedy' (A tragédia do Sarriá) and is often referred to as 'The Day That Football Died' (O dia que morreu de futebol). The defeat was painful and in many ways, signalled the end of the playing style that had defined the Brazilian footballing character. Had Brazil being a little more pragmatic against Italy, even when the score stood at 2-2, they would surely have earned the draw they needed to proceed to the next round. After this failed campaign, Brazil 'learned' the lesson and pragmatism crept into the national game.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat Italy's triumph represented was the superiority of the organised system over the liberated individual. Brazil set new aesthetic standards but ultimately failed to marry style with silverware.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"It may have been the last side to represent Brazil in a World Cup that epitomised the country. It was irreverent, joyful, creative, free-flowing. 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The pibe is a classic anti-establishment rogue, street smart and full of guile. Diego was born 30th October 1960, in Villa Fiorito, an impoverished district of Buenos Aires. By the time he was 10 he was already a star in Argentina. He regularly appeared on TV in black and white newsreel footage, juggling anything from a football to an orange. Maradona’s life story is the stuff of legend, from rags to riches, from narcotics to sainthood. His accolades are numerous and illustrious, including Golden Ball winner for best player and FIFA World Cup winner (junior level 1979 – senior level 1986); winner of the Goal of the Century award and Player of the Century joint winner, sharing the honour with Pele.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Pele had nearly everything. Maradona has everything. He works harder, does more and is more skilful. Trouble is that he'll be remembered for another reason. 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