Micah Richards may never view the World Cup in the same way again.
The former England defender lost his father Lincoln on Wednesday night, receiving the news of his “unexpected” death just before the BBC’s coverage of England’s semi-final against Argentina started.
Not like you would have known. Within a second of realising they were on air, the opening montage and Mark Chapman’s introduction completed, Richards bravely bore a trademark smile next to fellow pundits Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart at Atlanta Stadium.
Richards even dove straight in, the first to give his take on England’s team news, before saying: “I’m just absolutely grateful to be here. World Cup semi-final. We’re in this amazing stadium.”
And there he remained, in position, for the next four hours as a rollercoaster unfolded below him.
