ONE thing we don’t see enough of on a football pitch is schoolboy pranks.
Forget the silky skills, strong tackles and world class goals — sometimes we just want a good old-fashioned giggle.
And that is exactly why we salute Paraguayan defender, Julio Irrazabal.
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Lining up to take a free-kick in last night’s Copa Libertadores clash for Deportivo Capiata against Brazilian side, Atletico Paranaense, the 36-year-old was initially blocked off.
So, while pretending to place the ball in the perfect spot, he discreetly untied his opponent’s shoelaces.
The unwitting Atletico man had his back to Irrazabal— we assume — to take orders about where to stand from his goalkeeper.
And his face is a picture when he turned around to face the Deportivo defender and felt the cool air gushing through to the inside of his shoe.
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It’s simple, but so satisfyingly good.
Well done, Julio.
Aside from that moment of genius, it wasn’t such a good night for him.
Former Porto and Marseille midfielder, Lucho Gonzalez, scored the only goal of the night to give Atletico a 1-0 win.
And, following a 3-3 draw in Paraguay in the first leg, it means the Brazilian side advance to the group stage.
But Irrazabal managed to subtly untie an opponent’s shoelace, so who’s the real winner?
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