The first email landed at 10.16pm, roughly three hours or so after the final whistle sounded on one of the biggest World Cup upsets of all time as Pico Lopes and Cape Verde held Spain to a scoreless draw.
Alfonso is a producer on ‘World Cup After Hours with James Corden’ and he had a request to make in relation to Pico’s availability after his heroics against the star studded Spanish tip, many people’s favourites to win the tournament.
The first mail outlined the fact that the Fox network would love to have the Shamrock Rovers captain on their show that night to mark the occasion of Cape Verde’s incredible World Cup debut.
The show, co-hosted by Corden and England legend Rio Ferdinand, has aired since the tournament began with comedian Ian Karmel also involved with presentation duties.
Guests to date have included Hollywood A-lister Mila Kunis, Curacao defender Leandro Bacuna and US World Cupper Antonee Robinson.
On Monday night the great Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the centrepiece for their show and sat in on the production meeting to plot the script and decide on the topics for the day.
One guest was a wanted man according to Alfonso and his emails. Rio wanted Pico Lopes. Zlatan wanted Pico Lopes. And if you read Zlatan’s brilliant autobiography you will know that Zlatan normally gets what Zlatan wants.
The email came my way incidentally because I have been assisting Pico with his media duties since qualification for the World Cup was assumed last October, as my regular reader will know.
And who am I to turn down James Corden, Rio Ferdinand or Zlatan Ibrahimovic? So I didn’t. A quick WhatsApp to Pico, mid-flight from Atlanta back to the Cape Verde base in Tampa, relayed the request and the reaction was positive.
And so Pico Lopes appeared live on one of the biggest World Cup TV shows in the United States of America late on Monday night their time, in the early hours of Tuesday morning Irish time - because Rio and Zlatan wanted him beside them.
Alfonso was delighted with the positive news that came his way, the hosts were thrilled when Pico pointed out that he has history with Zlatan, that they played against each other in Tallaght Stadium in 2020 in a Europa League clash behind closed doors thanks to Covid which AC Milan won 2-0.
17 September 2020; Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan in action against Roberto Lopes of Shamrock Rovers during the UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round match between Shamrock Rovers and AC Milan at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
And so the stage was set for the perfect ending to a perfect day for Pico, a day that put Pico on the map in a manner last seen when Phil Lynott was strutting his stuff on Top of the Pops and MTV back in the day.
Like goalkeeper Vozinha, Pico Lopes is now written into World Cup history. He made 11 interceptions and one match saving block on Oyarazabal as the drama unfolded at the Atlanta Stadium, otherwise known as the Mercedes-Benz stadium when FIFA aren’t in town.
The Mercedes-Benz analogy would be a better one for the day that’s in it. Pico’s performance against Spain and their goal machines was as good as Paul McGrath’s statement defending against Italy at the Giants Stadium on that famous day back in 1994.
Pico brushed off the comparison when he spoke with the few Irish journalists at the game afterwards but that’s typical of his modesty. It was that good and it was no surprise that this gentle man from Dublin 12 rose to the challenge presented by some of the best players in the world.
That Ray Houghton was there to witness it and had a photo taken with Pico afterwards was a bonus. The man who put the ball in the Italian net will tell you the World Cup changed his life.
That performance against Spain will do the same now for Pico Lopes and his family. Nobody in Irish football deserves that more.
Now apologies, but I’ve another email from Zlatan to look out for!!!!!!
