A thread to log to the various celebrity guests who make draws in association football.
This thread may also encompass other sports when needed.
There is a large number of proper experienced professionals out there on the celebrity guest ball pulling circuit and it’s time to properly chart who they are.
UEFA Nations League 2026 draw
12/2/26 - Brussels
Celebrity guest ball pullers:
League C: Fernando Llorente - Fernando was strong, determined and decisive in his ball pulling and especially in the way he displayed the name of the team he had pulled. He stood very tall with shoulders back. There was a lot of dignity to the way Fernando drew the balls. Exceptional etiquette. Verdict: Fernando has a big future in this game.
League B: Patrick Vieira - Patrick was business like and professional but held up the name of the team drawn lower than Fernando had and you sensed that he wondered how a person of his stature was having to do this
gig. Nevertheless, the presenter Pedro congratulated Patrick on his “stellar performance” in making the draw. Verdict: low energy.
League A: Pepe - Portugal has and proud history of celebrity guest ball pullers, with Luis Figo being perhaps the foremost exponent of the art. Now Pepe gets his big break. He looks nervous. A short interview in Portuguese gives a nice Chmpions League Magazine flavour to this segment. It is normal to dream of doing such a draw.
Pepe smiles continuously but draws the balls tentatively, withdrawing his hand from the bowl several times, almost like he’s afraid of getting his hand injured, like somebody trying to pet a potentially volatile stray kitten that has arrived at the back door. His displaying of the team names is better, displaying at a mid chest height, higher than Patrick but lower than Fernando.
Pepe gets a round of applause. “I think you really enjoyed that.” Verdict: Pepe has work to do on his etiquette but is worth persisting with.