That's one way to cool the nerves! Birthday boy Paul Small gets a dunk in an ice bath
OUR World Cup players may be sweating it out in Brazil, but they gave their masseur a decidedly chilly surprise for his 50th birthday.
In a prank posted online yesterday, they gagged Paul Small, tied his ankles to a chair, then carried him outside to be dunked in an ice bath.
Captain Steven Gerrard lifted Small with the help of Glen Johnson and goalie Joe Hart.
The ritual was captured on film by Gerrard and his Liverpool teammate Daniel Sturridge, who is heard laughing in the background, shouting: “It’s going off.”
Another player is heard saying “It’s too cold!” while manager Roy Hodgson, in just his swimming trunks, moves out of the shot.
Small went right under the water before being dragged to safety.
Sturridge, 24, said the soaking was an example of “team unity”.
The prank happened in Rio de Janeiro before the team flew to Sao Paulo for tonight’s crucial second group match against Uruguay.