Music as a 90’s hit became the FIFA Club World Cup anthem

If you are connected to the networks or enjoy soccer, you may have noticed the breath around FIFA Club World Cuptournament that brings together the continental champions (!) In search of the title of best team in the world (!!), which is super cool because you can have IMA game, Palmeiras with Abel Ferreira cursing the Messi out of nowhere. But anyway, this time, it’s not just football that is on the rise: the official soundtrack has become a separate subject and is in the mouth (and memes) from everyone.

So if you think you’ve heard this “Na-in-na-in-in-na-naaaa” Before, it’s probably right. The theme of Club World Cup 2025 It is actually a modern reinvention of an old acquaintance of music and football fans: “Freed from Desire”hit Eurodance released in 1997 by Italian Gala. What began as a trail of noventist ballad crossed decades, resurfaced from the stands in 2016 and now gains global sports anthem status.

The story starts in New York, when Gala He was still a photography student. During a tour with a European DJ in the US, she was invited to sing a track and so was born “Freed from Desire”released as a single and soon transformed into a European hit. But how did a dancing song about freedom and desire become football soundtrack?

The answer is in the British stands. In 2016, a modest fan Wigan Athleticthen in the third division of England, created a parody of the song to honor the striker Will griggauthor of a historic goal against the Manchester City. The new lyrics said, “Will Grigg’s on Fire, Your Defense is Terrified.” He published on YouTube and the rest is history.

The song went viral in stadiums, pubs and social networks. Ireland do Norte fans adopted the parody during the Euro 2016doing the original version of the Gala Return to the music stops. Versions began to pop up all over Europe: Milan, Ajax, Manchester City And dozens of clubs have customized the melody for their own stars. To the duo Blonde launched an official rewriting.

Today, Will grigg Play for Chesterfieldfrom the fourth English division. But the legacy of his “sound bonfire” is still alive.

THE FIFAattentive to the viral potential of the melody, chose an adaptation of music as a trail of Cup of Clubs 2025. The current version, with digital vocals and without letter, maintains the original structure and chum chorus, which was enough to rekindle the obsession.

This phenomenon is not isolated. The musical culture of the stands is an essential part of football, especially in the United Kingdom and Europe. Songs and cheerleaders create identity, excite players and connect generations. “Seven Nation Army”from White StripesIt is another classic example: the riff “ô-ôô-ô” has become universal.

Fans often adapt popular music, creating its own versions to celebrate idols, provoke rivals or simply mark sound presence. Letters evolve over time, accompanying players, phases of clubs and even political crises. The result is a mixture of nostalgia and creativity. Often, these new versions viral on social networks, thanks to fans videos singing in stadiums, bars or even the bus on the way to the game.

And platforms like Tiktok, Instagram and Twitter They drive this culture like never before. It is possible to know the corners of teams from other countries in real time, creating a global sound exchange. This strengthens ties between fans and spreads the sticky choruses even faster “Na-NA-NA”.

The song that has been a dance floor trail today packs stadiums, viral videos and grandstand shouts. Because in football (and pop culture) who has melody, never dies.

See below other examples of songs that were adapted in the stands:

“Seven Nation Army” of White Stripes:

“I predict a riot” of Kaiser Chiefs In the crowd of the Leeds United vs. LeidSter City:

“Fire” of Kasabian It was the opening theme of the Premier League:

“Don’t Look Back In Anger” of Oasis In an Aston Villa vs Derby County match:

“Blue Moon” composed of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart In 1934 it is the Manchester City anthem:

… that already had version of the team’s super-frog, Liam Gallagherwith your deemed Beady Eye:

And because not one of Xuxa Adapted by the Uruguayan team Peñarol?

Na-na-na-na-na-naaaa… and follow the game.