THAT WORLD CUP GUY: The day I slipped into Pelé’s entourage before the 1998 World Cup final
30.04.26, 23:30 Updated 06.06.26, 23:41 4 Minute Read
Andy Milne
The World Cup final was only two days away. After travelling up from Marseille, where we had watched the thrilling quarter-final and semi-final matches, my brother Mike and I had arrived in the capital earlier that week. Paris was alive with anticipation. France were about to play their first ever World Cup final, against the most successful football nation on earth - Brazil.
The city had fully embraced the moment. Street vendors were everywhere, selling flags, horns, hats and foam fingers. Pavement artists sketched caricatures with symbols of France and Brazil. Cafés and bars were decorated with bunting from all the competing nations, but especially with the blue, white and red of the French flag. Huge outdoor screens played endless re-runs of France’s matches. Every goal was cheered as if it were happening live – and, of course, France always won.
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Andy Milne Author of That World Cup Guy, Andy has attended every major tournament since 1982. A familiar face to England fans, he brings colour, humanity and the perspective of a lifelong supporter.