Long before his unforgettable “Gooooooool!” calls became synonymous with soccer in the United States, Andrés Cantor was just another football-obsessed kid in Argentina willing to bend the rules for the sport he loved.
The legendary Telemundo broadcaster recently reflected on one of his favorite childhood memories, revealing that he skipped school whenever Argentina played in the FIFA World Cup. For Cantor, those matches were never just sporting events. They were moments that helped define his future.
His story offers a glimpse into the lifelong passion behind one of soccer’s most recognizable voices, especially as excitement builds toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
A Childhood Built Around the World Cup
Growing up in Buenos Aires, soccer wasn’t simply entertainment for Cantor. It was part of everyday life. When Argentina took the field during the World Cup, attending class became far less important.
© Theo Wargo/Telemundo via Getty ICantor admitted he would ditch school to watch his national team compete, embracing the same excitement shared by millions of Argentine fans. “Definitely when I ditched school in 1974 to go to the cafe in the corner of my school in Argentina to watch the games in black-and-white (on) television. That was my first experience of living such a big tournament like this from afar,” he told Today.
Looking back, he recalls those moments with humor, but also recognizes how deeply they influenced the person and broadcaster he would eventually become. “Then I was very lucky to be in the stands when Argentina won in 1978. And then ever since I’ve been involved, one way or the other, with this wonderful tournament that is played every four years,” he said.
His childhood obsession evolved into a career that has now spanned decades, covering the world’s biggest sporting events from the sidelines rather than from a classroom or living room. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be in the best seat of the house at every World Cup since 1990, and I got to call the most epic moments of each tournament,” he shared with the publication.
© FIFA via Getty ImagesAdding: “I didn’t get to call (Diego) Maradona in ‘86 because I was a writer. I wrote for an Argentinian magazine. But I lived history the day that he scored the goal against England, and then he went on to win the World Cup. I’ve been around the Women’s (World Cup) games, around the Olympics. So if there is something that I would have wanted to do that I didn’t — because I was writing at the time, not calling games — (it) would be to call Maradona’s second goal against England on television.”
Soccer Became More Than a Hobby
Cantor’s connection to soccer only intensified after his family moved from Argentina to the United States during his teenage years. Although he built his broadcasting career in America, he never lost his emotional bond with Argentina’s national team. That connection has remained evident throughout every World Cup he has called.
Today, Cantor is widely recognized as the voice of soccer for generations of American viewers, particularly Spanish-speaking audiences. His signature extended “Gooooooool!” celebration helped popularize Latin American-style soccer commentary across the United States and introduced countless fans to the emotion that defines the sport.
© WireimageThe Moment He’ll Never Forget
Despite calling hundreds of unforgettable matches, one memory still stands above the rest.
When Argentina defeated France to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Cantor’s emotional reaction became an international sensation.
© FIFA via Getty ImagesAs Gonzalo Montiel converted the decisive penalty kick, Cantor fought through tears while delivering the call that millions of fans watched online. The emotional broadcast reflected more than professional excitement. It captured decades of hope, heartbreak, and national pride, finally coming together in one historic moment.
Cantor later admitted it was nearly impossible to remain composed because soccer has always been deeply woven into his life.
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