Cesar Azpilcueta: Chelsea star pranked by Southampton mascot before match
Cesar Azpilicueta made just his second start of the Premier League campaign for Chelsea against Southampton on Tuesday evening.
The Spaniard started the Blues’ opening day of the season against Everton.
But, despite helping his side to a clean sheet, he was named a substitute for Chelsea’s following three games against Tottenham, Leeds and Leicester.
Reece James’ absence meant Chelsea’s captain was back in the XI for the match at the St Mary’s Stadium.
But he was mugged off by a Southampton mascot in the tunnel before the match.
The youngster held his hand out in Azpilicueta’s direction and got the Spaniard’s attention.
Thinking the Southampton mascot wanted to shake his hand, Chelsea’s captain was more than happy to oblige and held out his hand.
The youngster had other ideas, though.
Just as Azpilicueta was about to shake his hand, the youngster pulled his hand away and to his face.
It was a comical moment and you can watch it below…
This young Southampton mascot has mocked César Azpilicueta here! 😆🤣 pic.twitter.com/ahoCKYXvQr
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 30, 2022
Haha, Southampton’s mascot… pic.twitter.com/HyTO23As3y
— kompromatsimpsk – @matsimpsk@mastodon.cc (@matsimpsk) August 30, 2022
Oh no. Azpilicueta got done dirty there.
Unfortunately, the video cut off before we could see Azpilicueta’s reaction.
He’s not the first Premier League player that has been mugged off by a mascot, though.
Steven Gerrard was pranked in the same manner by a young Chelsea mascot, called Jake Nickless, back in 2006.
Gerrard took the gesture well and patted the youngster playfully on the cheek.
Azpilicueta now knows exactly how Gerrard felt.
Chelsea went on to take the lead against Southampton in Hampshire.
Raheem Sterling missed a couple of golden chances in the opening stages of the match.
But he made amends as he broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute.
Sterling found space inside the box and he showed great composure before rolling the ball into the net.
They weren’t ahead for long, though, as Southampton equalised through Romeo Lavia.
Azpilicueta’s clearance fell to the Belgian youngster on the edge of the box, and he took a touch before curling the ball past Edouard Mendy and into the net.
Adam Armstrong then made it 2-1 to the home side just before the break.
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