After a wait longer than any of us could have anticipated, the European Football Championship finally got underway on Friday night.
Early on in the live broadcast – which saw Turkey going toe-to-toe with Italy – fans discovered their new hero of the tournament.
And no, we’re not talking about any of the actual players.
Before kick-off, a tiny remote control car made its way onto the pitch, carrying the match ball for the night – much to the delight of those watching along on social media.
The start of #EURO2020 😂🚗 pic.twitter.com/C2qkmXaNY3
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 11, 2021
In fact, it didn’t take long at all for viewers on Twitter to become completely enamoured with the miniature vehicle, more so than anything that actually transpired during the first Euro 2020 (yes, they’re still sticking with that name, by the way) game of the year.
Here’s a selection of what was being said online:
That’s it, the tournament has peaked, someone managed to create a dumb remote control sponsored car for the ball. pic.twitter.com/ypDbsMaCz6
— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) June 11, 2021
Petition for the wee car bringing the ball for all football matches in future #EURO2020
— Marian Craig (@MarianCraig) June 11, 2021
Tiny car delivering the ball? #EURO2020pic.twitter.com/tcL2AYT0EP
— Jordan (@Jorc94) June 11, 2021
BALL IN A TINY CAR!
COULD IT GET ANY BETTER
— Max Rushden 💙 (@maxrushden) June 11, 2021
Absolutely GONE at this remote control car.
Gone.
I love football. So much.— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) June 11, 2021
UEFA should use a Volkswagen remote control car to deliver the football onto the pitch for the first game of EURO 2020 pic.twitter.com/j3cmQruoTp
— Christian Howe (@christianhowe_) June 11, 2021
— Mollie Goodfellow (@hansmollman) June 11, 2021
— david (@shawgab) June 11, 2021
I’ve got the tiny car in the family sweepstake
— Emily Baker (@emilyrbakes) June 11, 2021
I’m more excited by this remote control car than the whole tournament ngl #Euro2020pic.twitter.com/7NONNSMs7J
— Dane Hamilton (@DaneHamiltonn) June 11, 2021
The football car felt too unexpected and it deserved more backstory. Maybe an online #content series where it has wacky Brum-like adventures. #EURO2020
— Nick Walker (@nickw84) June 11, 2021
move over dogs and toddlers… there is a new ring bearer at weddings and she is the moment pic.twitter.com/hWCOpulmZi
— jackson davies (@actualjack) June 11, 2021
I also want an in-depth, no-holds-barred interview with the little football car
— No McMc No Party (@ChristinaMcMc) June 11, 2021
The Mini Cooper javelin retrieval device from London 2012 walked so the Euro Volkswagen football carrier car could run. #EURO2020pic.twitter.com/J0SNq1OMLu
— ilona burton (@ilonacatherine) June 11, 2021
For thirty seconds, I was nearly going to give my love to the Euros, then it turns out they don't have to chase the car to get the ball after all and what could have been an enjoyable caper turned into just football again
— Simon HB (@norock) June 11, 2021
is football twitter okay pic.twitter.com/J449fIBPH5
— shit face 🦂 (@pipsuxx) June 11, 2021
In the end, Italy ended up emerging triumphant, beating Turkey 3-0, but it was pretty much unanimous who the true star of the show was:
Votes for Player of the half?
— Simon Jack (@BBCSimonJack) June 11, 2021
— Economics Teacher (@Busecon2012) June 11, 2021
So I’ve selected my man of the match #Tur v #Ita#VW MINI CAR FTW pic.twitter.com/YMZbolalyU
— Yes sir, I can Scouseweegian🏴 (@scouseweegian) June 11, 2021
Nothing, I repeat nothing that happens on the pitch for the duration of #EURO2020 will beat the match ball being delivered in a remote controlled car. Already Man Of The Match. pic.twitter.com/z7m4tnylne
— 𝙳𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚍 𝚂𝚝𝚎𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚝 (@david_stewart) June 11, 2021
“provided us with the moment of the tournament so far” <- tiny car erasure
— edie (ukraine supporter 🇺🇦) (@multiplebears) June 11, 2021
“Do it for him, boys” pic.twitter.com/6xAaNcGNka
— Carl Kinsella (@TVsCarlKinsella) June 11, 2021
— catherine deneuve agent (@scrubmummy) June 11, 2021
Tiny car for ballon d'or
— Tom Whyman (@HealthUntoDeath) June 11, 2021
Of the UK teams competing in Euros 2020, Wales will be the first to play, going up against Switzerland at 2pm on Saturday afternoon.
England will then play Croatia on Sunday at 2pm, while Scotland’s first match will take place at the same time on Monday, when they’ll be competing with 2pm.
Will any of them be able to overshadow the adorable antics of the “tiny football car”, though? Only time will tell, but let’s be honest, it’s looking unlikely.
England’s squad includes players Raheem Sterling and Jordan Peterson, both of whom have been recognised on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list this year.