Priceless.
In a week where Euro 2016’s opening days have been overshadowed by headlines of hooliganism and violence, footage like this is precisely what every football fan needs to see.
With the Czech Republic and Spain teams gathering in the tunnel before taking to the pitch for their Group D match in Toulouse, TV cameras caught an awestruck young mascot gazing over his shoulder at the Spanish players.
Turning back towards the camera, the youngster’s face beams with an excited smile that tells us he simply can’t believe his luck.
One of my favourite moments of #Euro2016 so far. Check out the mascot's reaction to his #ESP idols… @UEFAEURO pic.twitter.com/K94Ue0uNia
— Paul Lake (@Paul_Lake) June 13, 2016
As cynical adults, it’s a timely reminder of how much football meant to us all as kids and why, no matter how disillusioned we are with it at times, we still care so much about it. The fact that it’s spontaneous and completely unscripted makes it even better.
Well done, young man.
