What the World Cup means to... Kieran Trippier

As we count down to the start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, we caught up with some of the players who are set to take part to talk about their memories of past tournaments. Today, England right-back Kieran Trippier.

What was the first World Cup you can remember watching?
I can recall the one where Ronaldinho scored the free-kick against England – that must have been 2002. I don’t know if he meant it but it was a good goal. It’s just a shame that was the goal that knocked England out. That’s the moment that sticks in my mind as being my first clear recollection of the World Cup.

Who were the stars that year?
The Brazilian team was phenomenal with obviously Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo and Ronaldo – they were fantastic to watch. David Beckham was involved for England and he had always been my idol growing up, so he was another star who comes to mind.

If there was one World Cup game in history that you could have gone to, which one would it be and why?
There’s only one isn’t there? The final in 1966.

What are the best memories you have of your own country at the World Cup?
I remember watching England have a pretty good group stage in 2006 when it was held in Germany. We beat Paraguay to start off with – I seem to remember it was an own goal that won it for us – but then I recall a win against Trinidad and Tobago. Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard scored quite late in the game and that obviously put England in a great position to qualify. The last game was quite an entertaining draw against Sweden.

What is the best match you’ve ever seen at the finals?
I’ve got to say the Uruguay-Ghana one in South Africa 2010 because you had the situation where Luis Suarez handled the ball on the line and the Ghana striker, Asamoah Gyan, missed the penalty which would have put them through. Then it went to penalties and Uruguay won, so basically Suarez saved his team their place in the World Cup by doing what he did. That was a dramatic game, so controversial at the end.

And the best goal?
The James Rodriguez volley at the last World Cup, just before he went to Real Madrid. Colombia beat Uruguay – 2-0, I think it was – and he scored twice, but it was the volley where the ball was headed forward to him, he took it on his chest and hit it on his left foot from about 25 yards. What a strike!

What is the most unusual kit you’ve seen at the tournament?
I don’t know why I’m saying this but I think it has to be the Croatia one with the red and white squares. Sometimes they have a bit of blue in there as well. I don’t know why but that patterned design is the one that comes to mind!