Linkin Park’s Superhit Song With a Billion Streams Once Replaced a National Anthem Ahead of FIFA Friendly

Linkin Park is among the most popular rock bands in the world. They have delivered several best-sellers and MTV2 labeled them the sixth-greatest band in the music video era. However, the band went on a hiatus back in 2017 after the shocking death of Chester Bennington. They are currently not working on any music video or album, but continue to make the headlines. Once during a FIFA soccer international friendly, Linkin Park’s song was accidentally played instead of the team’s national anthem.

Some of the most popular albums of Linkin Park are Hybrid Theory, Meteora, and A Thousand Suns, among others. However, they have remained inactive for a while now. But despite that, they have a combined net worth of more than $100 million.

Linkin Park has, however, made its mark on soccer, when its super hit song ‘Numb’ was played instead of the national anthem of Malta in a FIFA friendly. However, the Malta players smiled a bit before singing their original national anthem.

Malta’s national anthem was replaced by Linkin Park’s ‘Numb’ in a FIFA friendly

Malta is a small soccer nation that plays in the UEFA. According to the latest FIFA rankings, Malta is 168th in the world. However, they made headlines back in 2014, ahead of their FIFA-friendly game vs Slovakia. Fans had turned up in big numbers for the game, but the stadium personnel responsible for the national anthem played Linkin Park’s ‘Numb’ instead of Malta’s national anthem.

However, the Malta players took it lightly and smiled before the original ‘L-Innu Malti’ national anthem was played. Malta was host to Slovakia in the friendly game. Slovakia was a heavy favorite ahead of the game and won 1-0 in 2014.

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Adam Nemec, who currently plays in the Romanian Liga, was the difference maker for Slovakia in their 1-0 win over Malta. Since then, the two sides have played four times, with Malta failing to win any of them.

Has Malta ever played in the World Cup?

Malta, ranked 168, has never qualified for any major world or continental tournament. However, due to UEFA’s new Nations League, they get regular playing time against much more experienced sides. They have played in three UNLs so far, staying in the ‘D’ division of the league.

Malta’s fortunes in soccer have changed in the past decade. Their most recent win came against Israeli in the FIFA international friendly game in September 2022.

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Malta recently played a 2-2 draw with Greece and lost 1-0 to Northern Ireland in the friendlies. This only goes on to prove their massive improvement over the years.