- Lionel Messi sits on Sergio Aguero’s shoulders, holding the World Cup trophy.
- It’s a moment of pure, unfiltered ecstasy after years of World Cup heartache.
- Messi uploaded the photo to celebrate his World Cup victory against France.
Lionel Messi sits on Sergio Aguero’s shoulders, holding the World Cup trophy.
It’s a moment of pure, unfiltered ecstasy after years of World Cup heartache, caught in a split second.
Messi uploaded the photo to celebrate his World Cup victory against France.
It’s currently the most liked image in Instagram ever, overtaking a brown egg. Getty photographer Shaun Botterill recorded one of the most memorable moments in sports history.
Botterill says photographers during Sunday’s World Cup final planned for one of them to stand on the pitch in front of advertising hoardings by the main stand where most Argentina fans were.
After spending time with his family after the trophy presentation, Messi made his way to the fans, forcing photographers to swarm to the opposite goal.
CNN’s Botterill: “I almost got trapped, but in the right location.” Photographers often need a touch of luck, and I had some on Sunday night.
Messi didn’t move much and did all the bits, one-handed, two-handed on the trophy.
“We didn’t know the ending.” You can plan for the trophy lift, but not the rush around and chaos. I was maybe two meters away.
“It’s a funny, unreal feeling when he’s precisely where you want him, and it doesn’t happen often.
I think the manner he’s holding the trophy and smiling will endear him to the fans.
Botterill grabbed a cable from one of the remote cameras behind the goal, connected it into his camera, and transmitted the photo to his editors as Aguero dragged Messi away.
Botterill’s kid was editing that night.
Botterill’s eldest texted him, “I modified your photo, it’s nice.”
His son’s response was understated.
Botterill “understood it was a pretty decent picture” in the immediate aftermath, but “little margins” can make a tremendous impact.
The British photographer says Messi’s Instagram crop wasn’t his favorite; the larger shot provided more context and captured the adulation better.
Botterill thinks these scenes still feel strange, even after the 1986 World Cup.
“I remember thinking, ‘How did I get here?'” Says Botterill. “Because then you’re pushed by the crowd.
“When I look back, I can’t believe he’s on Sergio Aguero’s shoulders holding up the World Cup for his people.
“It’s powerful, no? It has a cheerful face, joy, a trophy, and appears chaotic.”
Botterill says he didn’t realize his photo had made history because he doesn’t have social media.
Mark Zuckerberg announced Wednesday that Messi’s Instagram post, fronted by Botterill’s photo, broke the app’s record for likes. It currently has 69 million likes and is rising.
Messi’s egg shot, posted in 2019, has 57 million likes.
I don’t use Instagram, so I wouldn’t know how to crop a photo, Botterill explains.
“It’s hilarious that a 55-year-old man who’s not on Instagram has two boys who think it’s humorous.
“The youngest said, ’62 million, dad.'” It’s strange because I’m from Northampton.
“It’s strange since…” Botterill: “I didn’t know what was happening.” “A colleague messaged me and asked, ‘Have you noticed how many likes [your photo] has?’
“It’s ironic that I’m this old guy not on social media who, on the back of a great footballer, posted a photo that went viral. I got off the plane and had no idea what was going on.
Botterill says he still feels the same passion and thrill as an 18-year-old while capturing sport’s great moments.
After covering the 1986 World Cup as an editor, Botterill took a break and turned down the 1990 World Cup to scaffold. Since 1994, he’s covered every World Cup.
Born in 1967 near Northampton, England, Botterill received his first break at 16 with the agency created by sports photographer Bob Thomas.
Botterill struggles to pick a favorite photo from his wide portfolio and many big events.
He says photographers are “sort of strange,” rarely dwelling on a photo and always looking for the “next decent shot.”
Botterill enjoys himself when everything comes together, like it happened on Sunday at Lusail Stadium.
“When you receive a photograph of a great athlete, they can discuss if he’s the best ever; is Pelé? He asks, “Maradona?”
Messi is a terrific player, so getting a good photo of him is satisfying.
“He’s excellent, fantastic, amazing. This helps you get a good picture.
“Others can determine what they think of the shot, but it’s a lovely picture of one of the greatest players ever, so that’s the best part for me.” You must labor.”
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