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GhanaWeb Feature by Benjamin Sackey
The decease of Pope Francis connected April 21, 2025, astatine the property of 80, marks a historical infinitesimal that could person astonishing implications for the UEFA Champions League.
Historically, English clubs person often gone connected to triumph the contention successful years erstwhile a pope passes away. In the past, English teams specified arsenic Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, and Manchester City person lifted the coveted trophy pursuing the decease of a Catholic Church leader.
If past is immoderate guide, Arsenal whitethorn person an accrued accidental of winning this season’s Champions League, fixed that Pope Francis passed distant owed to unwellness this year.
This GhanaWeb Sports portion explores the humanities transportation betwixt papal deaths and Champions League victories for English clubs.
The interaction of the Pope’s decease connected the Champions League
On 3 occasions, English clubs person won the Champions League successful the aforesaid play that a pope passed away.
Here are the notable examples:
1978/79: Pope John Paul I died connected September 28, 1978, and Nottingham Forest went connected to triumph the European Cup. 2004/05: Pope John Paul II died connected April 2, 2005, and Liverpool won the Champions League.
2022/23: Pope Benedict XVI died connected December 31, 2022, and Manchester City clinched the title.
Now, successful 2024/25, pursuing the decease of Pope Francis, each eyes are connected Arsenal, the lone remaining Premier League broadside successful the competition.
They presently way Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) 1-0 aft the archetypal limb of the semifinals astatine the Emirates Stadium.
Can Arsenal support the inclination alive?
Arsenal look a pugnacious situation successful the 2nd limb arsenic they question to the Parc des Princes connected May 7, 2025. However, with cardinal players similar Thomas Partey returning, the Gunners stay hopeful of turning the necktie around.
A triumph would spot them beforehand to the last and borderline person to claiming their first-ever Champions League title, portion besides continuing a funny humanities trend.
A papal transportation to football
While Pope Francis was known for his enactment of Argentine nine San Lorenzo, his predecessors besides had beardown ties to the sport.
Pope John Paul II, for example, was a shot enthusiast who erstwhile played arsenic a goalkeeper.
He supported Cracovia, a Polish club, and reportedly admired Liverpool. In 2003, erstwhile Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek revealed that the Pope would often ticker their games and thought of him erstwhile the squad played.
As Arsenal hole for a defining infinitesimal successful their history, fans and shot romantics alike volition beryllium watching closely, wondering if divine timing and past volition erstwhile again align. SB/MA
Meanwhile, ticker wherefore #SaveTheJudiciaryDemo is trending connected GhanaWeb TV below
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