1. Brazil is the only nation to have played in every single FIFA World Cup, all 22 editions from
1930 to 2022, never missing a single one.
2. The ball used in the 2010 World Cup (the Jabulani) was so aerodynamically unpredictable that
goalkeepers across the tournament compared it to a "plastic bag in the wind".
3. Messi holds a record 8 Ballon d'Or awards, more than the combined total of most entire national
teams have won major international trophies.
4. A professional footballer makes over 1,000 individual decisions per game, most in under half a
second.
5. The fastest player speed recorded in the Premier League is 37.38 kmph set by Micky van de Ven
and players hit these speeds mid-match, under fatigue, in real competitive pressure.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo became the first individual in history to surpass 1 billion social media followers.
His Instagram alone has over 639 million, more than the combined populations of the US, UK
and Germany.
7. The net behind a goal is not required by the Laws of the Game. It's technically optional.
8. India qualified for the 1950 World Cup but withdrew because FIFA banned barefoot play as the
myth claims but due to funding issues, logistical chaos and the AIFF simply not prioritising the
tournament over the Olympics.
9. A goalkeeper defending a penalty has to dive before the ball is struck. The human eye simply
cannot react fast enough afterward.
10. The entire Laws of the Game that govern football worldwide fit into a document shorter than
most corporate employee handbooks.
.........to be continued.
Tailpiece.
Got up at 5, sent the messages, opened up the house for the day, lit up the puja room lamp and switched on the hymns on the home theatre.
Sajish comes by and gives me my monthly haircut, massage.
Morning cuppa with Lekha.
Walked within the house, recited my prayers and carried out my exercise regimen.
Breakfast of dosas and 'kadala'.
An early lunch.
To the Saroja Hospital to meet up with Dr Sreekumar Pillai for her review.
Jimmy changes the antibiotic after seeing my state of health.
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