News
VIE 20.06.2014
To play in a World Cup is a privilege granted to few people. Only the best from each country can do so every four years. Some, however, have managed to share the dream with their family.
During the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, LFP.es reviews some of the most illustrious cases of fathers and sons that have played in at least one World Cup.
Mafuila and Rio Mavuba
The Mavuba family history is possibly one of the most curious and emotive ones in the world of football. Mafuila, commonly know as ‘Ricky’, was one of Zaire’s (now the DR Congo), main men during the 70s. He won the African Nations Cup in 1974, and also played in the World Cup the very same year in the German Federal Republic. A decade later, Ricky Mavuba, who had moved to Angola with his wife, who was from the same country, was affected by the Civil War there.
It was March 1984 when the couple caught a boat for France to escape the conflict. It was in the middle of said journey that Rio Antonio Mavuba was born. With a passion for football in his DNA, Rio followed in his father’s footsteps.
His first steps in the world of football came at the academy of FC FC Girondins de Bordeaux, where his strength and hard work saw him reach the top level of French football. He even sampled Liga BBVA in 2007 whilst playing for Villarreal. Despite not being born in a country, Mavuba took French citizenship in 2005, having grown up in the country, and this year emulated his father by playing at a World Cup, taking to the field in the first group game against Honduras in Brazil.
LFP.es looks back at some of the achievements by fathers and sons that have shared the dream of playing in a World Cup.
To play in a World Cup is a privilege granted to few people. Only the best from each country can do so every four years. Some, however, have managed to share the dream with their family.
During the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, LFP.es reviews some of the most illustrious cases of fathers and sons that have played in at least one World Cup.
Mafuila and Rio Mavuba
The Mavuba family history is possibly one of the most curious and emotive ones in the world of football. Mafuila, commonly know as ‘Ricky’, was one of Zaire’s (now the DR Congo), main men during the 70s. He won the African Nations Cup in 1974, and also played in the World Cup the very same year in the German Federal Republic. A decade later, Ricky Mavuba, who had moved to Angola with his wife, who was from the same country, was affected by the Civil War there.
It was March 1984 when the couple caught a boat for France to escape the conflict. It was in the middle of said journey that Rio Antonio Mavuba was born. With a passion for football in his DNA, Rio followed in his father’s footsteps.
His first steps in the world of football came at the academy of FC FC Girondins de Bordeaux, where his strength and hard work saw him reach the top level of French football. He even sampled Liga BBVA in 2007 whilst playing for Villarreal. Despite not being born in a country, Mavuba took French citizenship in 2005, having grown up in the country, and this year emulated his father by playing at a World Cup, taking to the field in the first group game against Honduras in Brazil.
Pie de foto: Rio Mavuba playing for France
© LALIGA - 2014