It is 20 years since those in black and white serenaded a world superstar with a show of respect and emotion.
Patrick Kluivert wore the blue and red of Barcelona that night, in the last Champions League match to be played at St James’ Park.
A 2-0 defeat for Sir Bobby Robson’s Newcastle in the second group stage in 2003, shown live only on Granada Plus, is barely remembered in these parts.
Except, that is, for a standing ovation afforded to scorer Kluivert, and for what happened next. He would soon be wearing the colours of Newcastle.
Lessons to be learned for next week, then, as Kylian Mbappe lands on Tyneside? Perhaps. It is certainly an exciting idea.
Kylian Mbappe visits Newcastle this week as PSG travel to Tyneside for their Champions League clash
The St James’ Park faithful have a proud history of winning over visiting stars and will be dreaming of the world’s best player one day wearing the black and white of Newcastle
Not immediately, of course. The France forward’s designs on Real Madrid when his Paris Saint-Germain contract expires next year are well known, as are Newcastle’s Financial Fair Play restrictions.
Their last signing was a £28million deal for Chelsea teenager Lewis Hall, for which they had to defer payment until next summer. Their top earners are paid around £140,000 per week.
Sources say the numbers attached to Mbappe — he earns more than £1m a week — are way beyond Newcastle’s current reach. Their model is about identifying value and multiplying it, once under their roof. For now, they want to sign the next Mbappe.
That, however, is today. Tomorrow, should the club’s journey take them to where their Saudi-led owners intend — chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan has declared ‘No 1 in the world’ — they will have to buy the best, not ‘the next’. It should be noted, Saudi’s Public Investment Fund is worth £700billion. PSG’s Qatari Sports Investment benefactors, £379bn.
The pool of clubs able to afford Mbappe is shallow. He is 24 years old. Beyond the next five years at Real Madrid, or an extension to remain at PSG, there is scope for another European transfer. The Premier League is the continent’s best and, by then, so might be Newcastle.
Mbappe has played for them before. At least, that is, in the virtual world of Antoine Griezmann.
His France team-mate was filmed two years ago telling Mbappe how he was central to his success as Newcastle boss on Football Manager.
They had won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Community Shield and Super Cup by 2027. Mbappe asked Griezmann where Newcastle was and, when informed of the city’s northernly situ, he replied: ‘Oof, it’s not warm there!’
Mbappe may have his sights set on Real Madrid, but the Magpies could be in the conversation in five years time
Newcastle fans will make Mbappe feel the heat in their first home Champions League game in two decades
Mbappe has played for the Magpies before, but only in the virtual world of France team-mate Antoine Griezmann’s (right) Football Manager career
Mbappe will be surprised when he wanders from his team’s Quayside hotel, for the forecast on Wednesday is a balmy 16C. It will feel like 160C inside St James’ when the teams emerge. And the locals want Mbappe to experience the heat beneath the bulbs of a Champions League night.
After an injury scare last weekend, Mail Sport asked our Newcastle viewers if they’d prefer him to be fit — the overriding response was yes. That was, in part, to avoid any asterisk being tagged to a possible victory — they want to beat the best at their best.
But, more so, there is a feeling of wanting to see one of the planet’s greatest players, and he seeing them in return.
They love their football, and they love good footballers. Mbappe will not feel that amid the burn of the battle, but he may do when the Toon Army lower their swords come the end.
Does Howe want to see him play? ‘Do you want the honest answer or the diplomatic answer?,’ he replied when asked by Mail Sport. ‘I’ll give the diplomatic one… yes, we do!’
His thinking is clearly more clinical, but fans are more romantic here. They have always allowed themselves to dream.
Kevin Keegan, as a shock signing in 1982 and 10 years later when returning as boss, was the ultimate dream-maker. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1978 and 1979 yet was enticed by Second Division Newcastle.
When Keegan then scored on his debut against QPR, he threw himself into the crowd at the Gallowgate End, and later said: ‘I just wanted to stay there forever.’
St James’ can have that effect on a player, no matter their allegiance on the day. On occasion, it is a stadium that reserves a special reception for special players.
Declan Rice discovered as much in February. The West Ham midfielder had bossed a 1-1 draw and, as he made for the tunnel on full-time, applause was offered from the Milburn Stand. The appreciation, it transpired, was mutual.
Ahead of the transfer window, Howe and his assistant Jason Tindall spoke with Rice. The player, we are told, was impressed by the vision presented to him and recalled the warmth of those home supporters. He was, however, as good as committed to Arsenal.
There have been others, but not many, recognised by a fanbase always respectful of brilliance. Netherlands winger Johnny Rep, of Bastia, lit up a 1977 UEFA Cup tie and the Geordies took to their feet.
Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard felt the love in 2008, later saying: ‘When you come to a place like Newcastle, where the fans know what football is about, it was flattering, and much appreciated.’
Others have turned their words into action. Les Ferdinand was awesome in a 2-1 win for QPR in 1993 and St James’ was not too proud in letting him know. Ferdinand never forgot that day and he joined the club two years later.
But perhaps the most remarkable example was that of Kluivert. Seven months before he was applauded from the field in that European tie, the same thing had happened when he scored in 3-0 pre-season friendly win for Barca. The Dutch striker was among the world’s best.
He was his country’s record goalscorer and, in each of the previous three seasons at the Nou Camp, had netted 25 times.
As the ever-intuitive nufc.com noted after the Champions League tie: ‘Once again Patrick Kluivert was afforded the most generous of receptions by the home crowd, especially when substituted towards the end of the game.
‘In view of his previously stated admiration of Newcastle, Sir Bobby Robson and the Premiership, there are obviously many willing to believe that he’s set to swap the Ramblas for the Bigg Market.’
Eddie Howe said he wanted to see Mbappe play at St James’ Park, but admitted he was giving the ‘diplomatic’ answer
The affection of Newcastle fans helped attract the likes of Patrick Kluivert and Kevin Keegan
While the flirtation was blatant, it also felt fanciful. Within 16 months, Kluivert had signed for Newcastle, citing that Geordie seduction as motivation. They had lured a superstar into their orbit.
This week, Mbappe comes to town. Is this a chance to leave another lasting impression? Mbappe to Newcastle, one day?
Seeds are sown on nights like this and, from that, dreams can grow. So, just maybe, that explosive turn of pace, the devastating finish and Gallic swagger will, some day, illuminate St James’ in black and white.
Those who watch their football here can dare to dream, can’t they?
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