In 12 days soccer fans around the world will pour plenty of hours and a lot more emotion into the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. But imagine watching an entire tournament and then getting to the last game -- the last goal -- and just turning your back.
Tough to think that Real Salt Lake's Argentine playmaker Javier Morales, who's usually cool and calm in MLS play, couldn't take it anymore when his home country battled West Germany in the 1986 final.
I was six years old and Argentina was winning 2-0 [after 73 minutes]. And I was so happy. And then Germany tied [it at 2-2 just eight minutes later], and I said, "Ah, forget it!" And I went outside.
And then I heard my parents and my family screaming at the TV. I came back and Argentina scored — it was 3-2. Just three minutes after giving up the equalizer, Argentina scored in the 84th minute to take a 3-2 lead and, eventually win. That is my best memory of the World Cup.
It was great. And that was a little lesson for me. I learned that you have to keep fighting and never stop. Argentina came back and won.
Twenty-eight years later, the memory is right here. [Morales points to his head.] It's tough to remember things from when you were 6 or 7 years old, but this — I keep that in my mind.
Then after that, we went to the streets and celebrated. It was pretty cool.
Would you ever turn your back on the TV during a match your team/country is playing? Are you the type to believe until the very end? Let us know in the commments section below if you've ever done what Morales did:
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Kyle Beckerman: The Saudi Arabian who inspired RSL's World Cup hopeful
Jason deVos: 1986ers pave the way for future Canadian national team star
Will Johnson: Timbers captain experiences agony and ecstasy in 120 minutes in 1998
Michael Bradley: The miracle comeback that he helped author in South Africa 2010
Carlos Valderrama: The goal that brings goosebumps to every Colombian
Clint Mathis: The Mohawk and the Red Sea in South Korea
Robbie Keane: Lady Luck shines on Republic of Ireland in 2002
Tim Cahill: RBNY star goes down in the history books in 2006
Grant Wahl: How the 1998 final shaped a Sports Illustrated writer's career
Jermain Defoe: Consolation for not making it to Brazil? His goal in 2010
Nick Rimando: RSL 'keeper fulfills a dream hatched in Pasadena in 1994
Peter Vermes: Sporting KC boss lived the greatest World Cup atmosphere
Matt Besler: The chills and thrill of Landon Donovan's Algeria goal
Mike Magee: Best World Cup PK ever taken? Of course, it was Zizou
Gregg Berhalter: The greatest goal you've probably never seen
