Having spent over a decade analyzing combat sports and football culture, I've always been fascinated by how certain athletes transcend their sport to become true cultural icons. When I first heard about Jarred Brooks moving back down to strawweight to challenge Joshua Pacio at ONE 171: Qatar on February 20, 2025, at Lusail Sports Arena in Doha, it struck me how this trilogy fight represents exactly what makes certain competitors legendary - that relentless pursuit of greatness that defines the most iconic figures across all sports. Football, much like mixed martial arts, has its own pantheon of characters whose impact extends far beyond the pitch, becoming woven into the very fabric of global culture.
What separates a great player from a true icon? I've always believed it's that magical combination of skill, personality, and cultural relevance that creates lasting legends. Think about Diego Maradona - his Hand of God moment wasn't just controversial, it was theatrical, dramatic, and utterly unforgettable. That 1986 World Cup quarterfinal where he scored both the most controversial and most brilliant goal in football history within minutes of each other perfectly captures why we remember certain athletes decades after they retire. They give us these cinematic moments that become part of our shared human experience. Similarly, watching Brooks and Pacio develop their rivalry over multiple fights creates that same kind of narrative depth that transforms athletes into characters in a larger story.
The evolution of football icons throughout different eras tells us so much about how sports intersect with society. Pelé in the 1960s wasn't just a phenomenal player scoring approximately 1,283 career goals - he became a symbol of Brazilian identity and global football's potential. Then came the 1980s with Maradona's rise coinciding with the explosion of television broadcasting, making his genius accessible to millions worldwide. I've always been partial to the 1990s era myself - that's when we saw Zinedine Zidane's elegant artistry and Ronaldo Nazário's explosive power capture imaginations across continents. These weren't just athletes; they were artists whose mediums were grass and leather.
Modern football has taken iconography to another level entirely, largely due to social media and global branding. Cristiano Ronaldo's estimated 850 million social media followers across platforms represent more than just popularity - they signify how today's icons are global brands with cultural influence extending far beyond sports. Lionel Messi's recent World Cup victory in 2022 wasn't just about completing his trophy collection; it felt like the culmination of a fifteen-year narrative arc that captivated even casual sports fans. What fascinates me about contemporary icons is how they've mastered the art of personal branding while maintaining extraordinary performance levels season after season.
Regional icons often resonate most powerfully within their cultural contexts, creating deep emotional connections that global superstars sometimes can't replicate. In England, the enduring legacy of Bobby Moore embodies national pride and sporting excellence, while in Italy, Paolo Maldini represents twenty-five years of defensive perfection at AC Milan. I've always had a soft spot for these club legends who become synonymous with their teams - players like Steven Gerrard at Liverpool or Francesco Totti at Roma, who turned down bigger contracts to remain with their beloved clubs. Their loyalty creates a different kind of iconography, one built on community identity rather than global fame.
The business side of sports iconography has become increasingly sophisticated, with clubs and organizations recognizing the economic value of creating legendary figures. When ONE Championship organizes events like the Brooks-Pacio trilogy in Qatar, they're not just promoting a fight - they're building narratives that elevate athletes into must-see attractions. Similarly, football clubs have become masters at developing their players' personal brands through social media training, community engagement, and strategic media exposure. The financial impact is staggering - Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al Nassr reportedly increased the Saudi Pro League's global viewership by approximately 300% within his first six months.
What truly makes an athlete iconic in my view goes beyond statistics and trophies. It's about creating those unforgettable moments that become part of our collective memory. Think about Andrés Iniesta's 2010 World Cup-winning goal - the timing, the context, the emotional release - it was pure sporting theater. Or David Beckham's iconic free-kick against Greece that sent England to the 2002 World Cup - a moment of individual brilliance when it mattered most. These are the instances that transform excellent players into cultural touchstones, much like how a trilogy fight between established rivals like Brooks and Pacio carries more emotional weight than any championship bout between strangers.
As we look toward the future of sports iconography, I'm particularly excited by how digital platforms are creating new pathways for athlete-fan connections. Young players like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé have built global followings through both extraordinary performances and carefully crafted digital personas. The next generation of icons will likely be those who can balance authentic self-expression with the demands of modern sports marketing. They'll need to be competitors, entertainers, and brand ambassadors simultaneously - a challenging combination that only the most special athletes can master.
Reflecting on my years covering sports, what continues to fascinate me is how certain athletes capture our imagination in ways that statistics alone can't explain. There's an intangible quality to true icons - whether in football's global stage or MMA's intense rivalries - that transcends their physical accomplishments. They become characters in the ongoing story of sports, their narratives intertwining with our own experiences as fans. The Brooks-Pacio trilogy matters not just because it will crown a champion, but because it adds another chapter to a compelling rivalry that fans have invested in emotionally. That emotional investment, that personal connection - that's what transforms athletes from mere competitors into the iconic figures we remember for generations.
