A football fan, dubbed the ‘World Cup guy’ – or the ‘Steve McClaren lookalike’ – breaks his silence after going viral on social media.
He reveals in an interview with JOE that he “can barely go ten paces without being stopped” in Qatar, describing it all like he’s suddenly become a celebrity over there.
The supporter at first shot to online fame during the last-16 clash with Senegal having been shown on TV cameras celebrating wildly at the game.
30% Steve Bruce
20% Gary Pallister
30% Steve McClaren
20% Michael Crawford https://t.co/O1gUcIXiG3— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) December 4, 2022
And he was back cheering on the Three Lions for the quarter-final loss to France, with camera crew picking him out again, has since became rather famous, where he has been recognised from fans not just English but from all over the world.
Some however at sceptical how much of an England fan he is after he was spotted cheering on France in the 2018 World Cup final.
Speaking to JOE, he revealed he is often approached by supporters in Qatar, while often has is phone bombarded with screenshots of himself from friends.
He said: “I can barely go ten paces without being stopped, and the vast majority of these people weren’t from the UK, there’s different people from all over the world.
“It was after the Senegal match, really. I do no social media myself, I don’t have anything at all. It’s just being sent screenshots from other people, they send me clips, and those increased in regularity.
“So, I wake up in the morning and I’ve got 30 people having contact with me, so yeah, it became pretty apparent.”
Watched back the 2018 WC Final on the flight to Qatar. Is that… It is, isn’t it? pic.twitter.com/xxYzf4wKEZ
— 𝙆𝙚𝙩𝙘𝙝 ⚽️💻🎙📻 (@ketchell) December 13, 2022
Going viral also comes with some hateful comments directed at him and his face.
He adds: “To begin with, when I went online to look at the sites there was some trolling, some nasty comments. To be honest, people are people and I think there’s d***s out there.
“You know, there’s always going to be haters.
“As I mentioned before, I am not on social media so I don’t I see this stuff really. I mentioned that people were sending me clips, sending me things. It’s friends and they’re only sending the good stuff.
“So, after the first day or so, I just learn to ignore it.”
Here’s how social media users reacted as the ‘World Cup guy’ breaks silence after going viral on social media…
@hold_ja: Good man, glad he has kept positive. Didn’t like the trolling. I was sat by him at the USA game. He wasn’t ‘that guy’ at that point though.
@JamesCassidy16: It’s been disgrace how many people have trolled this guy. Comments can stick with people. Glad he’s seeing the positives rather than negatives.
Greig Brown: What are the trolls going to do now they have found out he is not on social media? Maybe ask their Mum or Dad if they can stay up a bit longer.
Sammy JJ: This guy has a really healthy attitude towards trolling and THAT should go viral!
Darren Gardner: Fair Play Mate. You obviously Love your Football, so You are Living the Dream and that’s what it’s all about 👍
Sam Tillson: I love that his name is still world Cup guy
Mark Tamblin: Good on you. I did call him steve mclaren online, but i mean no malice, and i perhaps should not have. It was just the instant, that he was smiling holding a world cup, i saw the resemblance immediately.
Nathan Haines: This fella is having more fun than most of us… the dude doesn’t even meddle in social media… He is a legend and showing us how its done. Fairplay
Gareth McBride: Fair play to him. He went to the World Cup and enjoyed it for what it was. In a world where people can be so nasty, it’s great to see the “target” of the bullying trolls coming out on top. More power to him 👍
Nathan Haines: This fella is having more fun than most of us… Mthe dude doesn’t even meddle in social media… He is a legend and showing us how its done. Fairplay
@MaffyewAgain23: Gonna be gutted when it’s over and he has to go back to having his head filled with gravy for a living
Sandy Campbelton: Well done mate, you just come across as a great bloke that supports your country 👏 respect from Scotland 🏴
@joe_sellars23: What a guy 👍🏻 👏🏻
Simone Mchale: His face made me so happy even tho we didn’t get thru, all footy fans should be like this, love the game, live the game x
Connor Dixon: What a guy! Fair play to him, in his own lane living his best life. Can’t fault the bloke.
Alan Mcalees: Good luck to the guy seems a genuine decent fella
John Kehoe: Good Luck to him…he went and followed his team unlike these keyboard warriors giving him grief while sitting at home in their bedrooms.
Jonathan Wallace: Fair play to the dude. Live your best life, and f*cking enjoy it. Brilliant. And like the guy even says on the video, he DOESN’T have social media at all. That is the cleverest thing, we could all learn from him 👏❣️
David Williams: Good on him enjoying the World Cup. I’ve read he was a teacher and I’ve seen a lot state what a top guy he is. 👍
Peter Rock Kwaira: That’s true they is always gonna be haters, but us we happy for u
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