FIFES, GUIRIS AND (HIDDEN) STARS

As a good Malagueña, I have grown up among local tourists, football and pure-blood Malagueños. And there is a very curious story about English football and the mysterious star of its kit that is worth telling.

My interest in English football and the Premier League is no coincidence. Anyone from Malaga (especially the coast) will know what I'm talking about. A unique phenomenon that I sometimes find difficult to explain to my non-Malacitan friends from the capital. Being Mijas and Fuengirola two of the places in Spain where the most British people live (plus everyone who lives throughout the province of Malaga), it had to have some impact. It is a particular universe in which Britons – who do not learn Spanish no matter how many years they have been here – and Central Europeans who have lived here for several generations, merge with the local Malaga fauna in a common denominator that has always united countries: football (soccer). You just have to see the particular variety of the Málaga C.F. fans.

England team kit for the 2022 World Cup

This sport, with so many fans and haters, is part of our culture and, like the most fife (NPC who likes FIFA, specially straight men) of my friends, it is part of my interest as well. And specifically, there is a story that has always made me curious, on a historical, football, design and, of course, gossip level.

When a country wins a World Cup, it is a more than justified reason to want to brag about such an achievement – especially to rub it in the eyes of others – and that is what the stars are for. The stars are added to the team's shield as you win the football competition par excellence. If you have won 1 world championship, you will have 1 star; If you have won 2, you will have 2... And so on.

England team kit 2024

Unlike most countries, the English team does not show off or highlight their star, but rather shows it in a hidden, sometimes almost imperceptible, way. But why wouldn't anyone want to brag about an award like that? Let me tell you.

The creators of football have only won one World Cup to date. 58 years ago, in the 1966 World Cup final, during extra time, 2-2 against Germany, England scored the goal that made them the winner. Or that's what was said.

There are many theories as to whether or not the ball went into the goal. Faced with such uncertainty, the lack of VARs at that time, and the bad taste in the mouth of winning in a "not at all clear" way, the English chose not to boast about a prize that will never be known if it was won fairly or not.

On some occasions it has looked more striking, such as in 2009 or 2013, but for the most part we can see examples that the English are not particularly proud of having won the World Cup that way. Like in 2022 and this year 2024.

England team kit 2013-14

In particular, I don't think it's a bad idea, but seeing that the damage has already been done, I think: What difference does it make? And you, what do you think?