Do or die!
OLYMPIC sprint legend/music producer Usain Bolt and entertainer Papa Michigan have some things in common. Both are passionate about football and have keenly followed the month-long World Cup.
But that’s where the commonality ends. Bolt is a die-hard Argentina supporter, while ”Michi” is an avid fan of defending champions France.
The teams face off in today’s World Cup final in Qatar at 10:00 am local time. Each is confident their team will lift the coveted trophy.
Bolt—who is in Qatar to watch the final—predicts that when the dust settles Argentina will win 2-1.
He shared his thoughts on the strategy the South Americans should employ.
“They should continue to play for each other as they have been doing all tournament. I’m always of the view, stick to the routine that got you to the finals and just go out there and execute,” Bolt said in response the Jamaica Observer‘s queries.
“After losing the first game [to Saudi Arabia], then having to refocus, they’ve played some great games to now be in finals. It’s all about continuing enjoy the moment and playing freely. Keep doing what they have done to get to finals and winning is a must,” he continued.
The Olympic legend said star player Lionel Messi will again be the key for Argentina.
“[Lionel] Messi seems to be playing with a sense of freedom and purpose. With a mentality that this is his last World Cup and he has nothing to lose. I’m sure Messi will put on a show as he oftentime does. I would say to him: ‘Enjoy the moment believing you were made for this. This is moment you have worked for all your life’,” Bolt added.
Bolt, who won multiple gold medals at the Olympics and World Championships, has immersed himself in music production since retiring from athletics. He has several compilation albums to his credit including Usain Bolt Presents: 9.58 Riddim; Usain Bolt Presents: Olympe Rosé; Usain Bolt Presents: Immortal Riddim; Usain Bolt Presents: Clockwork Riddim; and Country Yutes.
Papa Michigan—who is currently working on an album in California —is aware of Messi’s magic but feels ‘Les Bleus’ will win 2-1.
“France cannot be overconfident going into the final… The strategy France should use is an ‘all systems go’, because it’s now or never, no letting up or looking back. They are on the brink of creating history, winning this back-to-back and being placed in an elite group with Brazil,” Michi told the Observer.
“The [France’s] coach should be telling the team to be calm and stay focused. Let’s remember Argentina was sent crashing out four years ago by us, so they will be coming with blood in their eyes. I know they want to give Messi a good send-off but we are here to stop that. We are here to make [Kylian] Mbappé receive the Golden Boot and to do that we have to be the victors,” he continued.
Messi and Mbappé are vying race for the Golden Boot (the tournament’s top goal-scorer) at five goals each. However, Messi has the edge with three assists to Mbappé’s two.
Michigan, who won won the Walker Cup in 1978 with Tivoli Gardens Comprehensive High School in Kingston as a goalkeeper, has some advice for France’s goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
“I would tell the goalkeeper to position himself and have all angles correct. He must do a lot of talking and marshall his defensive unit because Messi and [Julian] Alvarez, know where the goal is and they will kick from any acute angle. In closing, I will remind them to prove that we are the defending champions so let’s prove to the world and ourselves why France is the champion,” he added.
As the custodian for Tivoli Gardens High School, Papa Michigan — given name Anthony Fairclough —also played in the 1977 and 1978 Manning Cup finals when they lost to Calabar and Camperdown, respectively.
Michigan was part of the now-defunct duo Michigan and Smiley. They are known for hit songs including Diseases, Rub A Dub Style, One Love Jam Down, and Sugar Daddy.