Panaji: Spread across five editions and 16 years, Irineu Gonsalves has watched 39 matches at the FIFA World Cup. It includes the opener, thrilling group-stage contests, knockouts, and even the final. Each one has had its own charm, but as the sporting spectacle turns on the magic in the United States, the former footballer can’t help but recall the impact the tournament had on him in 1994.Held in the US for the first time, the tournament broke World Cup records for total attendance (35,87,538) and average attendance per match (68,991), records that no country has been able to match.For Gonsalves, it was his first experience, and like love, it stayed with him, filled with excitement, innocence, and unforgettable emotions.“1994 was unforgettable because I watched a total of 13 matches and witnessed magic, on and off the field,” said Gonsalves, a former national football player with Salgaocar SC and a scrabble champion. “On the field, I was delighted to see superstars like Diego Maradona and Roger Milla in the twilight of their careers, besides Brazilian magicians like Romario, Bebeto, and Italy’s Roberto Baggio, who tragically missed the decisive penalty (in the final).”
Gonsalves with the legendary Alfredo di Stefano, who played for Argentina, Colombia, and Spain
Off the field, on the sidelines of a FIFA Congress which he could sneak inside thanks to the presence of Vilas Sardesai, a fellow Goan and vice president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Gonsalves saw a galaxy of stars. It included Pele, the most famous of them all, Eusebio, Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas—after whom FIFA has named its best goal of the year—and Bobby Charlton, arguably the finest English footballer of his generation.The then FIFA president, Joao Havelenge, stopped to autograph a magazine that he had in his hands as Gonsalves somehow mustered courage to approach the man who increased the revenue of global football and modernised the game during his 24 years in office.“When he drew very close to me, I was bit hesitant as he had his bodyguards walking alongside. But I must admit that all the stars, including Havelenge, were very humble,” said Gonsalves.After a successful football career that saw him don colours for top-tier clubs like Panvel SC, Salgaocar, and Vasco between 1975 and 1983, Gonsalves’ passion for the beautiful game did not subside. He wanted to be present at least once for the World Cup, held every four years and universally acknowledged as the greatest sporting spectacle on earth.“I was completely possessed by football and always wanted to be at a World Cup. The World Cup (in 1994) happened at a time when I was just starting to do well in business and I had saved some money. It was the best time to make my dream come true,” said Gonsalves, who sourced all his match tickets through the Goa Football Association (GFA).Along with Franciso Cabral, a businessman from Nagoa, Gonsalves landed in Chicago ahead of the opener between defending champions Germany and Bolivia. They didn’t have a ticket, but to quote Paulo Coelho, “when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”. That unexpected help came through Sardesai, who arranged for the tickets.By the time the tournament ended, Gonsalves had watched 13 matches, including five that involved the dazzling Brazilians. To see his favourite side lift the World Cup in front of his own eyes was an unforgettable experience.“The atmosphere in the stands was terrific; the stands are so close (to the playing field) that you can literally shake hands with the players. It was like one big party with the Brazilians leading the show. They were singing, dancing all through. Once Baggio sent his penalty wide in the final, the stadium erupted in joy and the girl seated next to me, a Brazilian fan, took off her t-shirt and exchanged with mine,” said Gonsalves.Quite unusually, Gonsalves was wearing a Germany jersey for a final involving Brazil and Italy. He carried his precious gift home, preserved for a while, but misplaced it years later.The World Cup does strange things to people. Almost every fan dreams of being at the tournament just once in his lifetime. When he is done, he wants to see the next one too. It, not surprisingly, happened with Gonsalves, as he made it to France (1998), Japan/South Korea (2002), Germany (2006), and for a lone game in South Africa.“For a football fan, there is no greater joy than being at a World Cup,” said Gonsalves. “It’s pure magic and time stands still. Strangers turn into friends and have the time of their lives. I am grateful to live these experiences, particularly in the US, my first. It’s chaotic, yet beautiful.”
