The Tribune

By INIGO 'NAUGHTY' ZENICAZELAYA

FIRST things first, let’s start things off by congratulating Budweiser and Jimmy’s Wines and Spirits for running another awesome promotion.

Once again, sending another lucky Bahamian to a world-class, international sporting event.

This time around, it’s the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia.

FULL SIZE OPERATION

I know first hand, from my fantastic trip to this year’s Super Bowl in Minnesota, courtesy of Bud Light.

What a once in a lifetime, VIP experience from start to finish.

All patrons had to do was purchase a six-pack of Budweiser, from any Jimmy’s Wines and Spirits, fill out the form, drop it in the barrel and wait to get lucky. Patrons could enter as many times as they wanted.

The lucky winner would win an all expenses paid trip to Russia, to enjoy the FIFA World Cup 2018.

WINNER WINNER

Well congratulations are in order for Mr Anthony Bullard. It was my pleasure to do the grand prize drawing from Jimmy’s Cable Beach location, live on the Press Box on KISS96FM this past Sunday.

Mr Bullard, an avid Budweiser drinker, heading to Russia, to sip Budweiser with Putin. Enjoy my brother, enjoy.

WORLD CUP NEWS

THREE UNDER 20s SET TO BREAK OUT AT WORLD CUP

1.GABRIEL JESUS

FORWARD BRAZIL

Their talisman Neymar aside, forward Gabriel Jesus is the Brazilian that’s turning heads heading into Russia 2018.

Three years ago, Jesus was already garnering tons of attention - featuring for Palmeiras in the Brazilian top flight aged 18.

The ‘boy wonder’ would go on to impress at the Under-20 World Championships in New Zealand 2015, helping his side to the final. Since then, Jesus’ stock has only risen.

His cheeky performances caught the eye of Manchester City, who signed him in the summer of 2016 for arrival in January 2017, and he duly helped City break Premier League records on their way to the 2017/18 title.

The forward has also become an integral part of the senior A Seleção side, scoring six goals in 10 World Cup qualifying matches. He also scored three in six games on the way to Men’s Olympic Football Tournament gold in 2016.

2.ANDRE SILVA

FORWARD

PORTUGAL

It will not be easy for Portugal to move on from the Cristiano Ronaldo era, however his heir apparent in the Seleccion das quinas side: Andre Silva.

This heavy responsibility has been put on the forward’s broad shoulders, after his impressive performances so far for youth and senior sides.

He impressed at New Zealand 2015 with four goals at a reasonably impressive rate of one every 114 minutes.

Silva went on to make his senior debut after the victorious UEFA EURO 2016 campaign and has scored 11 goals in 20 appearances – including nine in 10 World Cup qualifying games. His move to Italian giants AC Milan in June 2017 has not been a resounding success, but he remains a key part of Fernando Santos’s plans for Russia 2018.

3.RODRIGO BENTANCUR

MIDFIELD URUGUAY

Rodrigo Bentancur’s assent since the Korea Republic 2017 has been rapid.

The Uruguayan youngster played a crucial role in La Celeste’s midfield at last year’s U-20 World Cup, helping the side to fourth.

He had already agreed to sign for Italian giants Juventus the month prior to the finals, and formally joined them from Boca Juniors in July 2017.

Bentancur was often used from the bench by coach Massimiliano Allegri during another successful Serie A campaign for Juventus.

He made his senior international debut in October 2017 off the bench against Venezuela in qualifying for Russia 2018 and has started every game for Los Charruas since. More on the World Cup next week, until then, let there be Budweiser.

• Naughty presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, on KISS FM 96.1.Comments and questions to naughty@tribunemedia.net