Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuyan called on the country’s young footballers to dream big after the FIFA World Cup trophy arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday. The trophy, part of a 150-day global tour by Coca-Cola, had previously visited Delhi and Guwahati before being unveiled at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning midfielder Gilberto Silva.
For Jamal, born in Denmark, it was the first time he had seen the iconic golden trophy up close. “Honestly, the experience was just amazing,” he told reporters. “Gilberto Silva brought the World Cup trophy and I saw it face to face for the first time. I was really excited. At first, it looks small, but it is actually very big. I even asked about the weight, almost seven kilograms of pure gold! I was truly overwhelmed.”
Jamal also shared his hopes for the upcoming World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. “I want Denmark to win the World Cup because that is where I was born. But if Denmark cannot, of course I want to see Brazil lift it,” he said, reflecting on his lifelong admiration for the 2002 champions and his first football hero, Ronaldo. “That Brazil team really inspired me when I was 12. They had Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Gilberto Silva.”
He emphasised the trophy’s significance for Bangladesh footballers. “Having the World Cup trophy in Bangladesh is a huge inspiration for our players. Anyone who works hard to become a footballer will be motivated by this. I truly believe that with the next generation, one day Bangladesh will write a new history in the World Cup.”
The trophy will be displayed at Radisson Blu hotel for winners of Coca-Cola’s ‘Under the Cap’ campaign. Attendees must bring a valid ticket and the campaign cap, and are not allowed to touch the trophy. Later in the evening, it will continue its global journey.
Coca-Cola is leading the tour across 30 countries, giving football fans worldwide the chance to see the World Cup up close and inspiring the next generation of players.
