By Chris Wright
After scoring a 92nd-minute equaliser for the USA in their final World Cup qualifying game against Panama on Tuesday evening, Graham Zusi became an instant legend, though not with the US fans but rather their Mexican counterparts, for it was the Sporting KC midfielder’s late, late goal that saw Mexico end up in the play-off spot instead of Panama, thus keeping El Tri’s dream of qualifying for Brazil 2014 alive.
Since then, Zusi has become something of a national hero in Mexico, with grateful fans referring to him as “Saint Zusi” and granting him instant internet meme status, though Kansas-based Spanish radio station La Gran D went one stage further and actually turned up at KC’s training ground yesterday to make Zusi’s canonisation official on behalf of El Tri fans everywhere – presenting the midfielder with a commemorative plaque to confirm his move into Mexican sainthood…
Picture being presented to @gzusi today by Mexico fans pic.twitter.com/RKwernqEj9
— Thad (@TheBackpost) October 17, 2013
To go along with the Zusi picture pic.twitter.com/xBwYXHaSHH — Thad (@TheBackpost) October 17, 2013
Forever immortalized #sanzusi pic.twitter.com/Hhp5uQCSxm — Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) October 17, 2013
This happened after training today #saintzusi pic.twitter.com/EUzAcpQn2Q
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) October 17, 2013
All hail Saint Graham Zusi, the patron saint of keeping your arse in the competition!
(Via MLS Soccer)