Goleo's Bleak Future

In comparison to many celebrities, Goleo VI's time in the sun was blessed with mostly clear skies and above average seasonal temperatures. The World Cup 2006 mascot had his detractors of course, and the company that bore him eventually descended into bankruptcy amid recriminations and scandals. But for the months of June and July this year, Goleo was truly the king of faux beasts.

"The public in Germany had mixed feelings about him and while some liked him a lot, others felt he should wear trousers and not try to act funny," Alexander Koch, FIFA's media officer for marketing and communications, told DW-WORLD.DE. "They also criticized the fact that he wasn't a 'typical' German animal."

"But he was definitely much more popular than the mascots from 2002," Koch added. "His role was to promote the positive spirit of the event and to encourage the fans to celebrate peacefully through his singing, dancing and appearances on TV shows, etc. We think he was the most popular mascot in the history of FIFA World Cups."

Goleo's four-year lifespan ends in December

Not popular enough for FIFA to find Goleo a job after the World Cup. Given the exhibitionist lion's high profile on the world stage this summer and the eventual acceptance from most quarters of his contribution to Germany's successful tournament, it would seem a pertinent question to ask what the future holds for the mullet-maned mascot.

"Goleo has a four-year lifespan which comes to a close at the end of the calendar year of the FIFA World Cup," said Alexander Koch. "Goleo will no longer play an active role in FIFA after 2006."

So what does this mean? Is Goleo destined to join Germany's four million unemployed? Will he be forced to take on a 'one-euro job' cleaning the toilets at the German Soccer Federation? Or will he settle for C-list celebrity status which would see him compete on shows like "Stars on Ice"?

There may be, however, an alternative to these less than savory fates. Toymaker Nici, the company that manufactured and promoted the Goleo merchandise for the 2006 World Cup, looks set to be saved from insolvency by American investment management group Strategic Value Partners.

Under US management, Goleo could stage a stateside comeback like that of soccer legend Pele when the New York Cosmos enticed him out of retirement in 1975. Or could he?

"All the rights for Goleo are owned by FIFA," said Uwe Klimach, head of marketing at Nici. "Questions about Goleo's future, his copyright and trade licenses should be directed at them. Unfortunately we are unable to say what will happen to the character. We are merely the licensees and users of the rights."

Stateside career resurrection?

So, FIFA, could Goleo resurrect his career in the United States and offer hope to other fading stars with similar ideas, like David Beckham?

"Nici has no rights whatsoever to Goleo," clarified FIFA's Alexander Koch. "The rights the company had to the mascot have ended and products can no longer be produced or sold. The right to Goleo as a character and brand will always remain with FIFA. Goleo cannot start another career unless it is part of a way to exploit the FIFA archive rights, but there are no plans to do so."

It appears that FIFA holds all the cards, which leaves Goleo with very few options. If he's up for the challenge, he could take a leaf out of pop star Prince's book. The diminutive singer scored a victory over his record company regarding his recording rights by making music under a different name. While the lion could, in theory, continue as The Mascot Formerly Known as Goleo (or MFKAG), the formidable legal power of FIFA would swiftly overpower the amiable animal.

So Goleo's brief but high profile career seems to be at an end. As the poet Thomas Moore wrote: "All that's bright must fade…the brightest still the fleetest." The 2006 World Cup mascot now looks set to join the long list of stars that burnt fiercely for only a short but luminous time. Let's hope he is remembered for more than just his penchant for going pantless.