Jorge “Chupo” Arriola rounded his World number 15 by attending four games in Los Angeles and one in Miami during the current edition of the maximum football competition. This is a record for an amateur. And even more so when you consider that it took 60 years to achieve it.
Born in Berlin, Germanyat the beginning of the 1940s, son of a Peruvian father and a German mother, Arriola in those 15 cups totaled 145 matches watched in person, of which 12 were finals on four continents.
Between 1966 and 2026 it only failed Germany 1974frustrated by the elimination of the Peruvian team. Now he regrets having made that decision.
“The World Cup It is four-yearly, it is not like the superbowlthe World Series or the championship F1which you can attend every year,” said Arriola, who was delighted after having enjoyed the Hard Rock Stadium the dramatic 3-2 victory of Argentina about Cape Verde.
“There were more than 50,000 Argentines on the field,” Arriola commented after the match. “From the atmosphere it seemed that we were in Buenos Aires. It was an Argentine stadium. And the game was extraordinary: there was drama, great plays, great goals and sensational saves.”
Arriola cannot say if that was his last in-person World Cup emotion, because at more than 80 years old it is difficult to predict if he will be in the 2030 World Cup, which will be in six countries: Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
“Every time the hustle and bustle is greater,” commented Arriola. “Everything is different. I can only say that I am very grateful because I have had great experiences, it has given me motivation and sport has given me a full life.”
Plus, he made friends. He had the opportunity to personally meet some of his great idols and has in his apartment in Lima a collection of souvenir objects from the first World Cup in Uruguay 1930. This memorabilia deserves to one day become the World Fan Museum.
Mr. World Cup
It is true that everything is becoming more difficult. In Qatar 2022Arriola paid $3,500 for eight tickets. In 2026 that is enough for only one entry.
“A retiree like me cannot pay those prices,” said Arriola. “They offered me $10,000 as a bargain for the final at the MetLife Stadium in NY/NJ. “It’s crazy.”
Weeks ago, in an extensive interview, the prestigious Argentine journalist Jorge Barraza He baptized Arriola as Mr. World Cup.
“I recently read that the amateur who held the record had died Guinness of attendance at the World Cups with 10,” said Arriola. “I have 15 financed with my own work. I have the evidence: 13 stamped passports (although they don’t stamp them today), tickets, plane tickets, witnesses, etc.”
Arrriola worked for 53 years as a public relations officer for Peruvian breweries and for this reason he was closely linked to sports. He clarifies that he paid for his attendance at the World Cups, he set aside $100 from his monthly salary and collected his World Cup purse for four years.
The adventure was born in 1966, when after returning from having studied in Spain, He cheered up with seven other friends from the club Lima Cricket to experience the World Cup for the first time.
“The whole trip and also a tour of Europe “It cost then what is paid now for a game,” Arriola recalled with nostalgia. “One morning we were in London and we decided to go that afternoon to see the Brazil vs. Portugal. We took the train, bought tickets at the ticket office and watched the game. At that time he could be seen standing from the stands.”
Mr. World Cup comments that then the championship was purely sporting and that disappeared.
“It is true that we are seeing a great tournament,” remarked Arriola. “Now, more than a World Cup, it is a show for young people to attend and for television and social networks. It cannot be denied that as a presentation it is wonderful.”
Pelé, Maradona or Messi
Who more than Arriola to say who was the best footballer of all time after having seen them personally on the most demanding stage.
“I’m not saying who is the best,” said Mr. World Cup. “I only give my order: Pele, (Lionel) Messi and (Diego) Maradona”.
Arriola explained that Maradona’s personal problems influence him to place him in third place. On the other hand, Messi is an example of professionalism, behavior and durability.
Get rid of the idea that football before was slower. “Before, the world was also slower,” Arriola reasoned. “We have to consider that the times are different and talk from there.”
Despite all this, Arriola affirms that Messi is something exceptional and it is a fortune to continue seeing him in action.
