Goleo VI

Goleo VI, also known as Goleo, was the official mascot for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. He was a lion who wore a white football shirt with black collar and sleeve rims, similar to those worn by the German national team between the 1950s and 1970s. He was never found far from his sidekick, Pille, a talking football. Goleo was unveiled as the World Cup mascot on November 13, 2004, during the German television program Wetten, dass..?, presented by Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer. He was a hit with fans and quickly became a popular figure. However, the German licence holder to produce Goleo, Bavarian toy company NICI, filed for bankruptcy on May 16, 2006. This was due to very high licence fees of around €28 million.