Vardy Returned & Mocked Tottenham, Showing Everyone Who The Real Champion Is

The principal architect of the biggest upset in football history continues to delight Leicester.

Jamie Vardy’s biography leaves few people indifferent. His journey from the lower leagues to the pinnacle of English football is a real-life fairy tale about a boy from a modest family who achieved greatness against all odds. It seems like even age can’t stop him. At 37, he’s still thrilling Leicester fans with his impressive performances on the pitch.

An incredible journey from pubs to the Premier League

Jamie Vardy's life is full of contrasts. At 20, he started his career in England's eighth division with Stocksbridge. Back then, his life was far from professional football: hanging out in local pubs, alcohol-fueled parties, and a shot of caffeine the next day – that was his lifestyle. Yet, even in those conditions, Vardy showcased a talent that higher-level coaches couldn’t ignore.

For a long time, he couldn’t break into professional football. Only at 25, after joining Leicester, did his dream start to take shape. At that time, the Foxes were still in the Championship, and no one could have predicted that this modest club would become champions of England within a few years. But as it turned out, nothing is impossible with Vardy.

The championship fairy tale

The 2015/2016 season will forever remain in the memory of Leicester fans. That year, against all predictions and logic, Claudio Ranieri’s team won the Premier League title. And the main star of this fairy tale was Vardy himself. At 29, he was having his golden moment. That season, he outshone football giants like Sergio Agüero, Harry Kane, and Alexis Sánchez.

Vardy kept scoring goal after goal, setting an unbroken record for consecutive matches with goals (11). He symbolized this fairytale victory, proving that even a late career start doesn’t prevent reaching the top.

Unlike many stars from that season, Vardy didn’t leave Leicester. Jamie stayed loyal to the club and continues to represent its colors today. Years later, he’s again proving that he’s far from being written off.

Leicester’s return and Vardy’s mockery of Tottenham fans

Last season, Leicester was relegated to the Championship but quickly returned to the Premier League. The first match of the new season was especially intriguing. Their opponent was a powerful Tottenham, and many expected that Vardy, at 37, wouldn’t be able to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League. However, the reality was quite different.

In the very first game of the season, Vardy reminded everyone not to write him off just yet. His goal secured a draw for Leicester against Spurs. This goal was Vardy's 103rd in the Premier League after turning 30, making him the top scorer in league history in that category. Remarkably, 75% of his Premier League goals have come after 30.

When Vardy was substituted in the 79th minute, he took the opportunity to mock Tottenham fans. As he left the field, he pointed to the badge on his sleeve, raised one finger, and gestured to the Spurs fans with a zero. In doing so, Vardy reminded them that he and Leicester had won the Premier League, while Tottenham’s last title was in 1961.

This gesture perfectly encapsulated Vardy’s character — he never missed a chance to taunt opponents, especially those who had yet to achieve significant titles.

Defying age and setting new records

What’s equally astonishing is that Vardy is still playing at this level, given his lifestyle. Most footballers, especially those known for their wild off-field habits, have long since retired. Wayne Rooney, who is only 18 months older than Vardy, has already left the big stage. Yet, Vardy keeps going, scoring goals and setting new records. In the 2019/2020 season, he became the oldest top scorer in the league.

It’s particularly impressive considering that Vardy sustained an injury at the start of pre-season and missed almost all of Leicester's friendly matches. He went into the Tottenham game still feeling discomfort. Still, despite this, he took to the field and demonstrated his greatness again.

After the match, Leicester’s head coach, Steve Cooper, mentioned that the team didn’t have any other fit strikers, and Vardy insisted on playing despite his aches and pains. This further proves that for Vardy, football is not just a job but a true passion he’s willing to sacrifice for.

Jamie himself, commenting on his age and condition, said that age is just a number for him. He will keep playing and delighting the fans as long as his legs feel good. Despite his age and physical challenges, Vardy continues to amaze and inspire, and it’s safe to say he will give us many more unforgettable moments on the pitch.

Published by Patrick Jane
20.08.2024