IT HAS BEEN labelled ‘the most famous shoe in the world’ and now the boot that scored the winning goal in this year’s World Cup final could be adorning your mantelpiece.
Mario Gotze has revealed he is auctioning off the very Nike boot which volleyed the ball past Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero at the Maracana in July.
The Bayern Munich midfielder, who has revealed he is yet to wash the boot, has decided to put it up for auction with all proceeds going to German charity Ein Herz fur Kinder or A Heart for Children.
“I have never washed the shoe,” he told newspaper Bild. “It is still in the same condition as it was in Rio, when I left the stadium with it.
“There is still grass on it. I have never put the boot on after the final. I kept it safe at my house.”
The boot will no doubt be a sought-after piece of memorabilia given Gotze’s goal secured Germany’s first World Cup since reunification.
Gotze admitted he has rebuffed a significant amount of interest in his size 9 left boot, instead opting to use his exalted status to raise significant funds for charity.
“I was often asked, many were interested,” Goetze said. “For example, sponsors, other companies and friends.
“The one who makes the largest donation to A Heart for Children in the seven days before the TV gala gets my World Cup boot!”
It’s not the first heart-warming gesture by one of Germany’s World Cup winners. After the tournament, Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil paid for 23 Brazilian children to undergo life-changing surgery by donating his winner’s bonus.
That’s incredible
@Jim Demps: the fast lane was left wide open for Wade to get through… You wouldn’t see a hole that big in regular season. Still though, great vision and speed to score. Big things await this guy.
@Peter Cavey: it certainly does have all the hall marks of a pre season game but to score on a 65 yarder on your first touch is pretty special.
Delighted for him. Took some set of balls to do this, hope it works out for him.
Delighted for tbe guy, took way too much flak on departure.
That’s the thing about American Football.. Runners usually don’t sidestep, jink or hand-off, just take the contact and set up again. Strange Sport. (Not saying that I could do any better.)
@Seamus Quinn: they do jink and sidestep
@Colm Connolly: and I’m pretty sure he didn’t sidestep or hand off anyone en route to scoring that TD either….
@Liam Flague: I’m not saying he did but the original comment said that running backs dont jink or sidestep which is clearly not true if you have ever watch even 1 game
@Colm Connolly: I know, but, y’know.. more.
@Seamus Quinn: You must be watching a different sport to the one I watch. Literally the best side steps and jinks in world sport are found in the NFL.
@Liam Flague: He certainly seems to send the first defender the wrong way with a shimmy just after he gets the ball. No-one’s expecting someone to get through that area with the ball in hand so after that yeah it’s a straight race and he doesn’t need to step anyone else.
@Seamus Quinn: no hand off cos the defender will rip your arm off if you try . Loads of jinks and steps by running backs though
@Limón Madrugada: Fair enough. Arms are kinda handy. Still think they’re in the habit of taking the hit instead of trying to beat the last man. Wade might try things a little differently..