England soccer players leave World Cup with a unique souvenir: Dave the Cat
England’s soccer team may not have won the World Cup, but some players will bring home what might be considered a better souvenir than a trophy: a cat.
Known as “Dave the Cat,” the former Qatar stray found the players on the first day they arrived for the World Cup in November, player John Stones said in an Instagram video.
“The first day we got there, we’d got like a little table around the corner,” Stones said. “Next minute, Dave pops out. Then, every night, he’s there sat waiting for his food.”
Originally, player Kyle Walker promised that he would bring Dave the Cat home to the United Kingdom if England won the World Cup, according to an interview. But the team lost to France on Saturday, Dec. 10, in the tournament’s quarterfinals, it shared in a tweet.
Despite the loss, the team adopted Dave and now plans to bring him back to the United Kingdom, the Qatar Animal Welfare Society said in a Dec. 12 Instagram post.
“It’s official, Dave is going home,” the post read.
Before he can officially make the move, Dave will spend the next four months in quarantine, according to the society.
“Some of his time will be spent checking his fan mail. Who knew he would need a press secretary,” it wrote on Instagram.
The society said Dave is settling into foster care now and that it will “update everyone as his adventure continues.”
“Dave says thank you all, he’s loving the attention,” it wrote.
In an Instagram recap of the tournament posted Dec. 12, Walker shared clips of Dave, and fans expressed their excitement and support in the comments.
“How is Mr Dave doing? Can’t wait for you share his journey with us. Maybe an IG account for King Dave,” one user commented.
“Thank you for being so kind to animals! I really admired your game, and now your kindness,” another wrote.
“I love this and can’t wait to see Dave in England,” a third fan said.
This story was originally published December 13, 2022 at 3:16 PM with the headline "England soccer players leave World Cup with a unique souvenir: Dave the Cat."
