The competition for this title will, as usual, be fiercely contested.
Sadly, two previous contenders for the crown will not be competing. Renee Higuita (Colombia), winner in 1994, is no longer playing in the national side, and anyway Colombia failed to qualify. Carlos Roja (Argentina), although not particularly eccentric on the field of play, is making up for it now. He is growing turnips and preaching religion in a rural area of his home country. He preferred this pastime to a close season transfer to Manchester United which would have netted him about £2 million. Perhaps he’s not so daft after all, although when he told his wife of his decision to grow the turnips, quite naturally she cried.
This leaves Jorge Campos (Mexico) who has recently been recalled to the side. The problem with Campos (apart from requiring a pair of shades to nullify the effect of his Extremely Bright Jersey) is that he is easily bored. If there’s not much happening at his end he likes to join the attack.
Jose Luis Chilavert (Paraguay) must be in the frame. Impressively eccentric in France '98, he is deferring a career in politics in order to keep goal for Strasbourg and his country.
On recent form the favourite to take the trophy has got to be Fabien Barthez (France). The only explanation for a string of recent howlers by M. Barthez is that Linda Evangelista has made him cross-eyed with her constant demands for ad hoc sex.
Any other nominations?
