The son of Algerian immigrants inspired France's team of immigrants to World Cup glory in 1998, but
Zinedine Zidane does not have to be football's only fairytale immigrant story. (American readers: "football" used here means "soccer.") Immigrants and sons of immigrants have long enriched most successful international teams. From Italy's consecutive World Cup wins in the 1930s courtesy of several Argentinians to the
most outstanding Portuguese player of the 20th century hailing from Mozambique to the fact that most footballers at this year's World Cup play in leagues outside their home country, football is clearly the ultimate migrant sport. With a new ruling from the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) allowing players to move more easily from representing one country to another, teams are set to get even more diverse. In the meantime, here is a quick look at some of the best footballers of immigrant descent on the field at the World Cup in South Africa, which began yesterday:
- Miroslav Klose (Germany): Born in Poland, Klose gained German citizenship through his father. Easily among the best strikers in the world, Klose was the top scorer and thus the Golden Boot winner at the 2006 World Cup in Germany with five goals, and also netted five goals in the 2002 World Cup. Klose is likely to once again play a big part in the Germany squad for this World Cup.
- Klose's teammate, Mesut Özil, is a German-born midfielder of Turkish descent that Germany snatched from Turkey in a controversial tussle last year.
- Giovani dos Santos (Mexico): The son of Brazilian player Gerardo dos Santos and a Mexican mother, Giovani was born in Mexico and also plays club football in England. He is coming to this World Cup after much hue and cry about his brother, Jonathan dos Santos, being dropped from the squad. Some say that Giovanni dos Santos can have a much better tournament than Argentinian star (and possibly the best player in the world) Lionel Messi. Unlike Messi, dos Santos continues to play consistently and come out firing for his country.
- Ashley Cole (England): Known as one of the best left-backs in the world, Ashley Cole was born in England to a father from Barbados. Never one to shy from controversy, Cole has been the target of several attacks from the anti-immigrant right-wing British National Party of Nick Griffin that believes "Britain is only for the British." Someone should alert the British National Party that immigration could possibly help England win the World Cup. But maybe that glory won't settle well for the BNP if it comes with the help of immigrants. God save the Queen.
