Nope. No idea either
Willy Caballero was given his World Cup debut on Saturday. The 36-year-old only made his debut for Argentina earlier this year, and with Sergio Romero missing the tournament through injury, was named in goal for their opening game against Iceland in Moscow.
It didn’t take the Chelsea goalkeeper long to be a talking point – before a ball had even been kicked, for that matter…
With Argentina’s players belting out their national anthem, one of the cameras scanned across their faces as usually happens prior to a big international game.
While their outfield players stood square-on to near touchline, Caballero turned himself away to his right, confusing many of those watching on TV.
Why was #Arg goalkeeper Willy Caballero looking the other way when the national anthem was played? Does anyone know?#ARGISL #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/i3Y6NTepID
— hum_bolega (@hum_bolega) June 16, 2018
What was Caballero doing in the national anthem then?
— Jack (@Jack_Fallows_) June 16, 2018
Can somebody tell Willy Caballero that he was facing away during the national anthem. Bloke was proper sending me mad with OCD
— Gaff (@thesoopabees) June 16, 2018
What on earth was Willy Caballero doing during the anthem?! #WorldCupRussia2018
— Jordan (@JordRd) June 16, 2018
Never a good sign when a goalkeeper is struggling with their positioning before a game’s even kicked off.
As you might expect, some put theories forward as to why Caballero adopted a different stance.
Some claimed he was merely facing his country’s national flag in an extra show of patriotism
Caballero proper patriot- facing the Argentina flag
— ! (@GoaIKepa) June 16, 2018
Elsewhere, it was suggested it was some form of protest
Is Willy Caballero pioneering a new take on national anthem protests? 🤔 #WorldCupRussia2018
— Theo Lloyd-Hughes (@theolloydhughes) June 16, 2018
Others using it as an opportunity to make a joke as Loris Karius’ expense
Why was Caballero standing sidewards for their anthem?
Does he have concussion?
— LiverPaul (@pc_74) June 16, 2018
For now, we’re none the wiser…
Argentina took a lead in the first-half courtesy of Caballero’s former Manchester City teammate, Sergio Aguero. Their lead didn’t last long, however. Alfreð Finnbogason capitalised on some shoddy defending from Argentina to draw Iceland level minutes later.
